The Toronto Maple Leafs and Ottawa Senators are set for a rare preseason setup on Wednesday, September 23: two games, two cities, and both faceoffs at 7 p.m. ET. One matchup will be in Toronto and the other in Ottawa, giving fans in both markets a home-ice look at the rivalry.
This is a split-squad night, so each club will divide its camp roster between the two venues. That means the strength of each game depends on which players are assigned to that specific building, which is why the usual team-vs-team comparison does not tell the full story.
Why this preseason format matters
The appeal is simple: both fan bases get a live home game, and the coaching staffs get more opportunities to evaluate players before the regular season opens on September 29. With only a limited preseason slate, every shift carries extra value for players trying to secure roles.
Toronto’s exhibition calendar is especially short, with its preseason games against Montreal and Ottawa making up all four of its tune-up contests. Ottawa, meanwhile, is using the night to sort through a roster that is still taking shape after major offseason change.
| Game | Venue | Start Time | Key Detail |
|---|---|---|---|
| Senators split squad vs. Maple Leafs split squad | Toronto | 7 p.m. ET | Roster strength depends on lineup assignment |
| Maple Leafs split squad vs. Senators split squad | Ottawa | 7 p.m. ET | Different players, different betting angle |
The roster questions shaping Ottawa and Toronto
Ottawa enters the night with a new identity after trading former captain Brady Tkachuk. William Eklund is one of the names the Senators are evaluating as they reshape their forward group and look for new scoring balance.
Toronto’s situation is different but just as important. Because the Maple Leafs are splitting camp players between two games, a skater or goaltender could appear in Toronto instead of Ottawa, or vice versa, depending on the game-day assignment.
Smarter betting starts with the lineups
The best approach is to wait until both rosters are confirmed before making a choice. A Maple Leafs moneyline play in Toronto is not the same wager as a Maple Leafs moneyline play in Ottawa, because the player groups may be completely different.
Start with the goaltenders. If one side uses a more established NHL netminder against a lineup built around depth players or prospects, that can quickly change the value of a side or total. The same logic applies to the number of regular NHL forwards and defensemen dressed for each venue.
The total is worth a look only after the lineups are known. In preseason hockey, coaches can spread minutes widely, and a strong opening period does not guarantee that the same players will carry the load late. That makes a confident over or under call difficult without more information.
Player props require even more caution. Before backing a scorer or shots-on-goal angle, make sure the player is in the correct game and likely to receive enough ice time to matter. If the roster or usage picture is unclear, skipping the prop is the safer move.
What to expect before puck drop
There is no dependable single-game prediction until the split squads and starting goalies are announced. The stronger lineup in Toronto may not be the stronger lineup in Ottawa, so each game has to be judged on its own.
The clearest edge may come from comparing NHL experience, goaltending, and the final odds after the lineups are posted. If the market already reflects those differences, there may not be a bet worth making. For fans, though, this is still a fun two-game rivalry night without any need to force a preseason wager.
