42 David Backes C

Bruins' David Backes: Posts helper Tuesday

Backes logged 17:16 of ice time while contributing on both the power play and the penalty kill. The 33-year-old winger will be battling for a top-six role, but he's starting to regress after posting his first non-lockout season under 40 points since the 2007-08 campaign. Backes is likely to line up as one of the better bottom-six forwards in the league, and a point total hovering around 40 should again be expected from him.

Bruins' David Backes: Scores second-period tally

The playoff veteran also picked up an assist in Game 2, so he's provided valuable secondary scoring for Boston. Backes is locked into a top-six role and is receiving power-play time with the No. 2 unit, but he shouldn't be confused with a go-to scorer at this stage of his career, especially after he posted his worst offensive season since the 2007-08 campaign.

Bruins' David Backes: Finds back of net again Monday

Backes has struggled to get situated in Beantown. While 16 goals isn't a terrible total, he is still on track to post the worst shooting percentage of his NHL career. He is starting to show some signs of life lately, scoring three goals with an assist over his past four games. Backes remains a solid fantasy play as long as he is slotted on a line with Patrice Bergeron and Brad Marchand.

Bruins' David Backes: On ice for pregame warmups

The veteran was held out of Monday's morning skate with the ailment but appears good to go for the evening's contest against division rival Toronto. He took line rushes in his usual spot on the top line with Brad Marchand and Patrice Bergeron.

Bruins' David Backes: Game-time decision Monday

That said, Cassidy expects the veteran power forward to play Monday night and it's important to note that Backes' absence from the team's morning skate is evidently not a residual effect from the knee/leg issue that forced him out of this past Wednesday's game against the Flames for a spell.