The Toronto Maple Leafs and Ottawa Senators are set for an unusual preseason setup on Wednesday, September 23, with two split-squad games starting at 7 p.m. ET. One matchup takes place in Toronto, while the other is held in Ottawa.
Why this night stands out
This is not a standard exhibition game, because both clubs are dividing their camp rosters and playing at the same time in different cities. Fans get two versions of the rivalry on the same night, and each arena will feature a separate mix of players fighting for roster spots.
The format also gives both coaching staffs another chance to evaluate depth before the regular season opens on September 29. Since each game has its own lineup, the strength of one venue does not automatically carry over to the other.
What Toronto and Ottawa are trying to learn
Ottawa is heading into a season shaped by major roster change, with former captain Brady Tkachuk no longer in the picture. The Senators also have new faces to sort through, including William Eklund, as they continue reshaping their forward group.
Toronto’s preseason is especially brief, with only four exhibition games on the calendar and matchups against Montreal and Ottawa making up the full slate. That makes every roster decision more meaningful, because there are fewer chances to test combinations and evaluate younger players.
| Game | City | Start time | Main takeaway |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maple Leafs vs. Senators | Toronto | 7 p.m. ET | One split-squad group will play at home |
| Senators vs. Maple Leafs | Ottawa | 7 p.m. ET | The other split-squad group will play in the capital |
Smart betting approach for this split-squad setup
The safest move is to wait until the lineups are confirmed before considering any wager. A Toronto moneyline in the home game and a Toronto moneyline in Ottawa are not the same bet, because each one applies to a different group of players.
Starting goaltenders matter first. If one team rolls out a more experienced NHL goalie against a younger lineup, that can quickly change the value of a moneyline or a total.
The game total deserves a look only after the rosters are known. Preseason pace can swing widely, and coaches often spread ice time across the entire bench, so a strong first period rarely tells the full story.
Player props require even more caution. Before backing a scorer or shots-on-goal number, confirm that the player is in the correct game and is likely to receive enough minutes to matter.
Best prediction before puck drop
There is no dependable single-game edge until the rosters and starting goalies are announced. The stronger lineup could be in Toronto, while the better one could be in Ottawa.
The clearest edge is to compare each matchup separately once the official groups are known. If the odds already reflect the difference in NHL experience and goaltending, the smartest bet may be no bet at all.
For fans, though, it is still a good night to enjoy two rivalry games and watch how both teams handle a busy preseason test.