Two games start together in Toronto and Ottawa
The Toronto Maple Leafs and Ottawa Senators face each other on Wednesday, September 23 in a preseason setup that is anything but routine. The teams will play two split-squad games at the same time, with both puck drops set for 7 p.m. ET, one in Toronto and the other in Ottawa.
That format turns one rivalry night into two separate matchups. Each club sends part of its camp roster to one venue and the rest to the other, so the lineups in Toronto and Ottawa are not the same game.
Why this setup matters for fans and coaches
Both cities get a home game, which gives fans in Toronto and Ottawa a chance to see their team without waiting for the regular season. It also gives coaches a useful final look at players before the NHL schedule begins on September 29.
There are also fresh storylines in Ottawa. The Senators are working through their first preseason after trading former captain Brady Tkachuk, and William Eklund is among the new names being evaluated as the team reshapes its forward group. Toronto has a short exhibition slate as well, with only four preseason games on the schedule, all against Montreal and Ottawa.
How to approach betting on the matchup
- Wait for the full lineups before making a wager, because the Toronto team in one city may be much stronger or weaker than the Toronto group in the other. The same is true for Ottawa.
- Check the starting goaltenders first. A proven NHL goalie against a less experienced roster can change the value of a moneyline or total.
- Compare the number of established NHL skaters assigned to each venue. A home game does not automatically mean the stronger lineup will be on that side.
- Review the game total only after the rosters are confirmed, since preseason ice time is often spread around and early scoring does not reveal how long key players will stay in the game.
- Treat player props carefully. Before backing a scorer or shots-on-goal angle, make sure that player is actually in the correct game and likely to receive enough minutes to matter.
Best read on the result
There is no clean single-game prediction until the split squads and starting goalies are announced. The stronger roster in Toronto could be very different from the stronger roster in Ottawa, so each matchup has to be judged on its own.
The smartest edge may simply be patience. Once the lineups are posted, compare experience, goaltending, and venue-specific odds, and then decide whether there is any real value. If not, this is still a good night to enjoy two preseason rivalries without forcing a bet.
