Saturday’s Split-Squad Test for Montreal and Ottawa

The Montreal Canadiens and Ottawa Senators close out their preseason on Saturday, September 26 with two split-squad games, one in Montreal and the other in Ottawa. Both clubs are dividing their rosters, so the lineups in each city will matter more than the team names on the schedule.

That setup gives fans two games to track at the same time. It also gives coaches one last chance to sort out roles, evaluate combinations, and decide which players look ready for the regular season.

What makes the final preseason games important

The standings do not count here, but the decisions do. These games are where coaching staffs can see how players handle different assignments, whether certain pairings work, and who deserves regular-season ice time.

For Montreal, the timing is especially tight. Training camp runs through September 26, and the regular-season opener against Toronto arrives on September 29, so Saturday is the last major audition for anyone still trying to secure a roster spot.

Ottawa is in a similar position. With two games on the same day, the Senators can spread out minutes and test more players in meaningful situations before the preseason ends.

The earlier meeting already showed how dangerous Caufield can be

These teams have already met once this preseason, and Montreal came away with a 3-2 overtime win over Ottawa on September 21 in Trois-Rivières. Cole Caufield scored twice, including the game-winner in extra time, to lift the Canadiens.

That result is useful as a reminder of Montreal’s ability to finish chances, but it should not be treated as a direct forecast for Saturday. Split-squad games often look completely different from one city to the other, depending on which players are dressed and who starts in goal.

A lineup built around more established forwards can change the tone of a matchup quickly. Goaltending matters just as much, since a different starter can shift both the likely score and the feel of the game.

Betting angles depend on the actual lineups

Anyone looking at the moneyline should first confirm which game is being offered. Because these are split-squad matchups, the more experienced group might be assigned to one city while a younger lineup takes the ice in the other.

Totals can be even trickier. If a game features inexperienced goaltenders and experimental defensive pairings, the over may look attractive. If the stronger lineup gets the more reliable goalie, that same bet can lose much of its appeal.

Player props can offer value only if a skater is expected to receive real ice time. Preseason usage is unpredictable, though, so it is risky to assume a familiar name will play a full game or keep a normal power-play role.

What to focus on when the puck drops

The best way to judge Saturday’s action is to watch individual performance instead of fixating on the final scores. Pay attention to which players handle tougher minutes, which combinations create pressure, and who looks comfortable at game speed.

Those details will tell a more useful story than the results alone. For both Montreal and Ottawa, this last preseason day is less about the scoreboard and more about who is ready to carry momentum into October.