42 David Backes RW

Bruins' David Backes: Works on third line

Early on this season, coach Bruce Cassidy continues to tinker with his line combos, so it looks like Backes could center Danton Heinen and Andres Bjork in Monday's game against the Senators. With Backes moving up in the lineup, Sean Kuraly worked on the Bruins' fourth line at practice Sunday, per Matt Porter of The Boston Globe. If Backes clicks with Heinen and Bjork, it would help solidify the team's third line, which has been a work in progress as the Cassidy seeks to to fill the void created by the free agent loss of pivot Riley Nash.

Bruins' David Backes: Logs 16:31 in ice time Thursday

Backes worked on the fourth line Thursday, yet he still finished second among the Bruins' forwards in terms of ice time. Wherever he plays in the lineup, the veteran forward will be counted on to provide leadership, physicality and secondary scoring. Through two games, Backes has logged two shots, two PIM and four hits.

Bruins' David Backes: Throws body around in blowout loss

Backes came out even in plus-minus despite the lopsided score, although he was part of his team's abysmal penalty kill that let up four power-play goals on six chances. He will be expected to continue racking up the hits after coming in fifth on the team in that category with 137 last season. Backes should also get chances to chip in offensively while playing with Ryan Donato on the third line, and even saw 1:28 of playing time on the power play during Wednesday's loss.

Bruins' David Backes: Sheds 10 pounds

The 34-year-old forward hopes that trimming down some gives him a bit of extra speed to supplement his power game. Backes is coming off a 2017-18 season in which he logged 14 goals and 33 points in 57 games, and while top-six duty isn't likely on tap for him, the Bruins would certainly welcome an uptick in production from Backes, who's expected to anchor the team's third line.

Bruins' David Backes: Looking forward to clean slate

This is exactly what Backes' fantasy owners want to hear after the veteran dealt with colon surgery, a lacerated leg, a three-game suspension for interference and even a concussion during the Stanley Cup playoffs. The versatile power forward will be entering his age-34 season with a chip on his shoulder based on his series of misfortunes from the 2017-18 campaign. He still added 14 goals and 19 assists to complement six power-play points over 57 games, so expect a safe floor of 20 points from Backes given that he's determined to play out the entire schedule in what will be his 13th NHL season.