Overview

• Trevor Zegras, Matvei Michkov, and Christian Dvorak are slated to skate together Saturday against the Bruins, with the alignment not guaranteed for opening night.
• Coach Rick Tocchet said the duo needs a steady third forward after giving up odd-man rushes earlier in the preseason, calling Dvorak a calming positional presence.
• Dvorak provides faceoff strength after winning 55.8% of his draws last season, offering support for Zegras’ weaker career rate near 40%, and he can shift between wing and center.
• Zegras and Michkov have been staying on the ice after practices to build chemistry, with the pair showing growing rapport through extra skill work.
• The staff continues to evaluate other fits such as Tyson Foerster, Travis Konecny, and Nikita Grebenkin, while the team reassigned prospects Jack Nesbitt and Spencer Gill to their junior clubs.