Blackhawks vs. Islanders Recap: Horvat Scores Twice, Four Plays Cash

The Islanders beat the Blackhawks 4-1 on Thursday night. New York scored on the power play late in the 1st, added two even-strength goals in the first 10 minutes of the 2nd, and closed it with an empty-netter in the 3rd. Chicago actually outshot New York 23-19, but Ilya Sorokin stopped 22 of the 23 shots he faced. Arvid Soderblom made 15 saves on 18 shots for Chicago. The Islanders went 1-for-4 on the power play and the Blackhawks went 0-for-3. Four DARIMARKET plays cashed on this game.

What cashed

Bowen Byram under 0.5 points (-175 at DraftKings): CASHED - Our read: Byram came in with no points in 3 games, and Chicago was scoring just 2.25 goals a game. - What happened: Byram finished with 0 goals and 0 assists, so the under cashed by the full half point. He logged a heavy 26:35 of ice time, including 3:41 on the power play, with 2 shots on goal, 2 blocks and a -3 rating. Chicago's only goal came at 17:26 of the 3rd, and he was not in on it. - Worth watching: Big minutes and PP time make Byram a regular on the points board. When Chicago's offense is this quiet, the under is the side we keep checking, as long as the price stays reasonable.

ALT: Under 6.5 total goals (alt): CASHED - Our read: Sorokin was expected to start after a .968 save percentage in two starts, and Chicago was averaging 19.2 shots a game. - What happened: The game finished with 5 total goals, 1.5 under the line. It was 3-0 after 40 minutes, and the last two goals came in the final three minutes of the 3rd, one of them into an empty net. - Worth watching: An alt under with a cushion is how we like to play a low-event team against a hot goalie. The main total was 5.5, so the alt bought a full extra goal of room.

Bo Horvat 3+ shots on goal (-155 at DraftKings): CASHED - Our read: Horvat had 10 shots in 3 games after averaging 3.32 a game last season, and Chicago was allowing 31 shots a game. - What happened: Horvat put 4 shots on goal, 1.5 over the 2.5 line, and scored twice. His power-play goal at 19:01 of the 1st (from Matthew Schaefer) opened the scoring, and he added the empty-netter at 18:27 of the 3rd (from Logan Stanley). He played 17:53, with 1:08 on the power play, and threw 5 hits. - Worth watching: Horvat keeps getting to the net, and New York only managed 19 shots as a team tonight, so his share of the volume is the real story. This was a longer shot that landed, and we will keep watching his shot share and the price.

Ilya Sorokin under 22.5 saves (-105 at DraftKings): CASHED - Our read: Chicago was averaging 19.2 shots a game, with 15, 15 and 21 in its last three. - What happened: Sorokin made 22 saves on 23 shots (.957), so the under cashed by half a save. The only puck that beat him was Frank Nazar's slap shot at 17:26 of the 3rd, assisted by Patrick Kane and Sam Rinzel. - Worth watching: This one was close. Chicago pushed 11 shots on goal in the 2nd period alone, more than its usual pace. Saves unders on a low-volume opponent still make sense, but a near-even price like this one matters when the margin is half a save.

How the game played out

The 2nd period swung it. Chicago had its best push with 11 shots on goal, but New York scored twice on 7 shots. Emil Heineman scored at 6:44 and Anthony Duclair at 9:38, both at even strength. Nazar scored at 17:26 of the 3rd to make it 3-1. Chicago then pulled Soderblom (57:51 played), and Horvat hit the empty net at 18:27.

Trends to watch

• Byram ate 26:35 for Chicago, with 3:41 on the power play. He is on the ice for a lot of the game, so his point lines will keep showing up, and Chicago's scoring pace is what drives the under.
• Horvat had 4 of New York's 19 shots and scored on the power play. He is getting looks with the man advantage, and that is where his shot volume comes from.
• Chicago went 0-for-3 on the power play and put up 23 shots. That is above the 19.2 it came in averaging, which is worth remembering before the next goalie saves line against them.

Stats are from the ESPN box score. For more, see our NHL hub, the NHL recaps, and our explainer on the alt line.