Flyers vs. Sabres Recap: Dahlin, Thompson and Michkov Shot Props Cash

The Flyers beat the Sabres 3-1 in regulation. Philadelphia scored twice in the 1st: an even-strength goal at 14:49 and a power-play goal at 19:17. Buffalo cut it to one on a power-play goal at 19:25 of the 2nd, but Philadelphia restored the two-goal lead at 3:03 of the 3rd and held on. Cole Knuble scored twice for the Flyers. Dan Vladar made 27 saves on 28 shots, while Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen stopped 23 of 26 for Buffalo. Buffalo outshot Philadelphia 28-26. Three DARIMARKET plays cashed on this game.

What cashed

Matvei Michkov under 2.5 shots on goal (-155 at DraftKings): CASHED - Our read: Michkov had stayed at 2 or fewer shots in almost every game this season, about 1.3 a game, on limited minutes. - What happened: Michkov finished with 2 shots on goal, half a shot under the line. He still made an impact, picking up the primary assist on the power-play goal at 19:17 of the 1st. He played 18:02, including 5:06 on the power play. - Worth watching: His 18:02 was above the 13-16 minute range in our read. More ice time can mean more shots, so check his minutes before going back to this under.

Tage Thompson 3+ shots on goal (-200 at DraftKings): CASHED - Our read: Thompson had been a high-volume shooter, with 3+ shots in most of his games and an average of 4.7, including 5 and 6 in his previous two. - What happened: Thompson put exactly 3 shots on goal in 20:05, including 4:44 on the power play. That cleared the line by half a shot. He did not score, and Vladar kept him off the sheet. - Worth watching: At -200 the price is steep, and this one landed right on the number. Shot volume is the angle, but the margin was thin.

Rasmus Dahlin 3+ shots on goal (+100 at DraftKings): CASHED - Our read: Dahlin had 3+ shots in most of his recent games (3.2 per game) and was even stronger at home. Philadelphia had been allowing more shots than anyone, and Buffalo was missing two defensemen. - What happened: Dahlin led the way with 4 shots on goal, 1.5 over the line. He played 26:27, including 5:08 on the power play, and added 3 hits. - Worth watching: Heavy minutes plus PP time is the cleanest shots-on-goal profile there is. At even money, this was the best price of the three.

How the game played out

The last minute of the 1st was the swing: Philadelphia scored on the power play at 19:17 to go up two. Buffalo's power-play goal late in the 2nd made it a one-goal game, but Knuble's second goal early in the 3rd took the air out of it. Each team scored one power-play goal, Philadelphia on 5 chances and Buffalo on 3.

Trends to watch

• Dahlin's 26:27 of ice time, with 5:08 on the power play, gave him the volume to clear his line with room.
• Vladar faced 28 shots and allowed only a power-play goal, so Buffalo's shooters got volume but not finish.
• Michkov's minutes went up, so his shot under needs a fresh look each night rather than an automatic play.

Stats are from the ESPN box score. More recaps are on the NHL recaps page, the latest board is on the NHL hub, and if you want to know how to read a +100 price, see American odds.