Why Wednesday Night Stands Out
The Toronto Maple Leafs and Ottawa Senators are set for a preseason setup that is anything but ordinary. On Wednesday, September 23, both clubs will play at the same time in different cities, with one game in Toronto and the other in Ottawa, and both scheduled for 7 p.m. ET.
This is a split-squad night, which means each team divides its camp roster between two separate lineups. For fans, that creates two versions of the same rivalry in one evening. For bettors, it also means the matchup cannot be judged until the specific players assigned to each venue are known.
How the Split-Squad Format Changes the Matchup
The setup gives both arenas a home game feel while letting coaches use more of the roster before the regular season opens on September 29. Ottawa gets to host one Leafs group at Canadian Tire Centre, while another Senators group heads to Toronto for the other meeting.
That also makes the evening useful for evaluation. Coaches can check combinations, give prospects real minutes, and see which players handle NHL pace well enough to earn a larger role.
| Game | Location | Time | What to Watch |
|---|---|---|---|
| Leafs group vs. Senators group | Toronto | 7 p.m. ET | Lineup strength, goalie choice, NHL experience |
| Senators group vs. Leafs group | Ottawa | 7 p.m. ET | Roster balance, defensive depth, scoring talent |
What the Rosters Mean for Betting
The smartest move is to wait for the lineups before deciding on any wager. A Toronto moneyline in one city is not the same bet as a Toronto moneyline in the other, because the player groups will be different.
Starting goaltenders matter even more than usual. If one side dresses a more established NHL goalie while the other uses a less experienced option, that can quickly shift the value of a moneyline or total. The same logic applies to how many regular NHL forwards and defensemen each team sends out.
The game total deserves a look once the rosters are public, especially if either side leans on inexperienced netminders or young defensive pairs. Even so, preseason scoring is difficult to project because coaches spread ice time around and often change usage from period to period.
What Has Changed on Each Side
Ottawa enters the preseason with new questions after trading former captain Brady Tkachuk. William Eklund is among the players being evaluated as the Senators reshape their forward group and test new combinations.
Toronto has a short exhibition slate, with its preseason games against Montreal and Ottawa making up all four of its tune-up contests. That leaves little room for error, which is another reason the split-squad format matters so much.
Best Way to Approach a Prediction
There is no dependable single-game pick until the split squads and starting goaltenders are confirmed. The stronger Toronto lineup may be the one in Toronto, while the stronger Ottawa lineup may be the one in Ottawa.
The clearest edge could come from comparing the two games separately after the rosters are announced. If the odds do not reflect the gap in NHL experience or goaltending, the smartest play may be to pass. Fans can still enjoy both rivalry games without forcing a preseason bet.
