What happened: Matthew Knies scored once and added an assist in the opening period of his first game with his new club. The burst came in his first appearance since last week's trade reshaped both sides of the deal.

Why it matters: A start like that matters because Knies changed addresses in one of the preseason's bigger moves, so early production will color the first read on the swap. It is an immediate lift for the same Matthew Knies who had been lined up to debut Friday night.

What to watch: The next question is whether Knies keeps that usage and touch through the rest of the night. His next preseason appearances will show whether the early chemistry carries over after the trade.