Tim Stutzle Sets a Senators October Record as Tage Thompson Hits 10 Goals and Josh Anderson Powers Montreal's Fifth Straight: Saturday NHL Fantasy Notes

Saturday's NHL slate closed out October with several performances that should shape fantasy rosters in November. Tim Stutzle finished the month with 21 points, a Senators franchise record for October, in a 5-1 win in San Jose. Tage Thompson scored twice, including the power-play winner, as Buffalo beat the Kings 3-2. Josh Anderson had two goals and an assist in Montreal's fifth straight win. And in Boston, David Pastrnak passed Patrice Bergeron on the Bruins' all-time goals list before Elias Lindholm won it in overtime.

Here is the fantasy and betting read on each game.

Saturday's notable lines

Senators 5, Sharks 1: Stutzle's record month

Ottawa scored four straight goals to pull away in San Jose. Stutzle, Dylan Cozens and Shane Pinto each had a goal and an assist, and Drake Batherson and Ridly Greig also scored. Stutzle closed October with nine goals and 12 assists, extending his franchise record for points in the month to 21. Batherson extended his point streak to seven games.

The win was the Senators' ninth in October, tying the franchise record set in 2007-08, and moved them to 9-5-1. Samuel Ersson earned his first win with Ottawa, stopping 21 or 22 shots depending on the source. For fantasy managers, Ersson's emergence is worth watching. If he can earn a larger share of starts, he becomes a useful streaming goalie behind a team that is scoring at a high rate.

Stutzle is an elite fantasy center on this pace; treat him as a top-20 forward. Batherson is a strong start while his streak continues, and Cozens and Pinto are worth monitoring in deeper leagues.

Sabres 3, Kings 2: Thompson keeps scoring

Thompson scored 15 minutes into the second period to give Buffalo a 2-0 lead and then won it with a power-play goal in the third. It was his 10th goal of the season and his 223rd with the Sabres, moving him past Rene Robert for ninth in franchise history. Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen made 27 saves as Buffalo won its third straight and extended its road point streak to seven games.

Thompson is a must-start goal scorer, and his power-play production makes him particularly valuable in leagues that count power-play points. Luukkonen is a solid starting goalie as long as the Sabres keep playing this well on the road.

For Los Angeles, Corey Perry scored a power-play goal and Andre Lee tied the game early in the third, but Anton Forsberg's 28 saves were not enough.

Canadiens 5, Penguins 4: Anderson and the streak

Josh Anderson scored twice and added an assist as Montreal won its fifth straight game. He put the Canadiens ahead 2-1 just 24 seconds after Pittsburgh tied it, and his late deflection with 6:54 left gave Montreal a two-goal cushion. Chris Kreider had a goal and an assist, and Oliver Kapanen and Alexandre Texier also scored. A Cole Caufield goal was overturned after a successful goaltender interference challenge by Penguins coach Dan Muse. Jacob Fowler made 25 saves.

For Pittsburgh, Sidney Crosby scored a power-play goal late in the third and finished with three points, tying Marcel Dionne for sixth on the NHL's all-time points list with 1,771. Erik Karlsson also had a goal and two assists. Karlsson's production is notable given the trade buzz around him; a strong November would raise his value both on the trade market and in fantasy.

Anderson is a streaming option in leagues that count hits and goals, but his production tends to run hot and cold. Fowler is a goalie to watch as Montreal keeps winning.

Bruins 5, Blackhawks 4 (OT): Pastrnak makes history

Pastrnak scored on a first-period breakaway for his 428th career goal, passing Bergeron for third on the Bruins' career list. Boston then trailed 4-2 in the third before rallying; Morgan Geekie tied it with 12 seconds left in regulation, and Elias Lindholm won it early in overtime by fending off two defenders and beating Arvid Soderblom. Michael DiPietro made 37 saves as the Bruins won their fifth straight at home.

DiPietro facing 41 shots is a warning sign for his ratio stats, even in a win. Geekie remains a useful depth scorer.

Blues 5, Red Wings 4

St. Louis also erased a two-goal third-period deficit, with Aleksanteri Kaskimaki scoring his first career NHL goal to complete the rally. Detroit continues to play without Dylan Larkin, who was suspended by the team after refusing to play until traded.

The betting angle

Two teams stand out heading into November. Montreal has won five straight and is getting scoring from multiple lines, which tends to be more sustainable than a streak driven by one player. Buffalo's seven-game road point streak has come with strong goaltending from Luukkonen, and the market may still be underrating the Sabres away from home.

Verdexed's model posts daily NHL picks on the NHL predictions page and in a daily picks piece on the blog. Check there before betting tonight's slate.

What to do in your league

Start Stutzle and Thompson every night. Consider Ersson as a streaming goalie if he earns more starts. Ride Batherson while his streak lasts. And keep an eye on Karlsson, whose fantasy value could change dramatically if Pittsburgh moves him before the deadline.