One Last Night to Earn a Roster Spot

The Montreal Canadiens and Ottawa Senators close out their preseason on Saturday, September 26, with split-squad games in Montreal and Ottawa. Each club is sending separate groups to different cities, so the two matchups will not feature the same mix of players.

That setup changes how the games should be read. The final score matters, but the real value lies in who plays, who gets trusted in key moments, and who still looks ready for opening night.

Why the final preseason games carry extra weight

For coaches, these games are about sorting out roles rather than chasing a headline result. The last chance to test line combinations, special teams units, and defensive pairings can shape the opening-night roster.

Montreal’s camp runs through September 26, and the team opens the regular season against Toronto on September 29. That gives players on the edge of the roster one more shot to make a strong case.

Ottawa has the same kind of decisions to make, but the split-squad format also lets the Senators spread meaningful ice time across more players. Pay close attention to which skaters get power-play work, which ones are still on the ice late in a close game, and which goalies shoulder the heavier workload.

What the earlier meeting already showed

The teams have already crossed paths 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 in that game, including the overtime winner.

That result, however, should not be treated as a clean preview of Saturday’s action. Split squads can make one game look far stronger on paper than the other, depending on which regulars are dressed and which goalie starts.

Game	Key detail	What to watch
Montreal vs. Ottawa	Split-squad preseason finale	Which established players are in the lineup
Earlier preseason meeting	Canadiens won 3–2 in overtime	Caufield’s scoring and late-game finishing
Both games	Different rosters in different cities	Goaltending choices and special-teams usage

Betting angles depend on the lineups, not the logos

Anyone looking at the board should separate the two games before considering a moneyline wager. The team name alone is less useful than the specific lineup attached to each venue.

Totals can also move quickly once the starting goalies are announced. Young netminders and experimental defensive pairings often point toward a higher-scoring game, while more experienced goaltenders can make the under more attractive.

• Check the roster for each city before placing a side bet.
• Wait for goaltending confirmations before evaluating the total.
• Look for a player prop only if a skater is expected to log real minutes.
• Do not assume a familiar name will receive a normal preseason workload.

What will tell the better story

The most useful takeaway will not come from one final score. It will come from seeing which players handled tough shifts, which combinations created chances, and who looked comfortable at the pace needed for the regular season.

Those details will say far more about Montreal and Ottawa than the preseason records ever could.