Dvorak-Zegras-Michkov Line Takes Shape After Impressive Comeback Win
Philadelphia Flyers' Trevor Zegras, second from left, celebrates with Nick Seeler (24), Jamie Drysdale (9) and Matvei Michkov after scoring a goal during the third period of an NHL hockey game against the New York Islanders, Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Derik Hamilton)
After aspects of the Philadelphia Flyers, such as goaltending and top lines, started to take flight earlier in the season, some areas were still awaiting their outbreak. One area in particular is the Flyers’ third line, consisting of two centers, allowing for more versatility, according to head coach Rick Tocchet.
The line, consisting of Matvei Michkov, Christian Dvorak, and Trevor Zegras, sounds like an elite-level line as it is, but it turns out that even with the early greatness of Zegras, the line has struggled as individuals and as a grouping, until the 4-3 shootout win this weekend against the New York Islanders, where the line clicked.
The comeback win started with the guys from the third line, and ended that same way. The scoring started with a beautiful pass from Zegras to Dvorak for his first goal this season into a tended net, to bring the Flyers within a goal. Though Dvorak had an empty net goal in the home opener against the Florida Panthers, getting on the board with a backhand goal is huge for his confidence, as he is one of the newest members of the orange and black, along with Zegras.
Zegras also got on the board big, with not one, but his first two goals in a Flyers uniform. With both a finish from the beautiful feed from Dvorak and a game-tying power play goal, this line had officially brought itself to life.
The Flyers, who took the Islanders to a shootout, scored twice in the skills competition. Both goals during the shootout were from that same line, which is important as it gets Michkov in the game as well, for someone who had been off to a slow start in his sophomore season.
Zegras, who has the highest shootout goal percentage in NHL history in a minimum of 20 attempts, made use of his turn right before Michkov and would ultimately end the game on a high note.
Going into Saturday’s game against the Islanders, the third line for the Flyers had 10 points total, with Zegras’ five assists, a goal and an assist for Dvorak, and a goal and two assists for Michkov. Though five assists are impressive, the Flyers would have liked some goals to go along with that for such a talented player.
This line seems to have figured it out, as two more goals and an assist (three-point game) from Zegras, and two points from Dvorak bring the line’s total to 15 points, five more than they had going into Saturday.
Even though Michkov is not there yet and would like to get on the board more, the Flyers’ third line has been at its best so far, and it only looks to go up from here.
Luke Raidy
Luke has covering the the Flyers and Phillies for Philly Sports Reports since 2025. He is a junior at North Penn and being a huge Philly sports fan has brought so many experiences, such as going to the NLDS, NLCS, and even the World Series in 2022. He has also met former superstars in the city of Philadelphia, such as Wayne Simmonds from the Flyers. Though being a student-athlete, Luke enjoys his time where he is writing and reporting on Philadelphia sports.
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