David Backes skated just 33 seconds in the first period of Thursday’s 3-2 loss to the Edmonton Oilers. The veteran forward was sent to the locker room, missing the remainder of the period after Matt Benning delivered a hit to Backes’ head.
Backes did return to the game in the second, but finished with just 6:28 of ice time. Backes does have a history with concussions, including one in last season’s playoff series with the Tampa Bay Lightning.
“David is Okay. He came back later in the game. We didn't use him as much because he missed some time and we want a player's safety first,” head coach Bruce Cassidy said following the loss. “But it was good to see he was able to clear to get back in the game and hopefully is good to go on Saturday (against Vancouver).”
Cassidy didn’t seem too pleased with the hit and does expect the league to have a look at the incident.
“I thought it was elbow down, shoulder, but I thought it was contact to the head. I suspect (the league) will look at it,” added Cassidy. "There was no penalty but to me that tends to be automatic in today's game. Even if it's not to the head they call it. It just seems like those are getting called simply to try to eliminate them.”
It should be noted that Benning has no prior history with the NHL’s Department of Safety. Benning left Thursday’s contest with an undisclosed injury as well, however, he did not return.
Playing in their second game in as many nights, the Bruins came out flying in the first period, out shooting the Oilers 12-5 in the frame. The Bruins got regulation goals from David Pastrnak and David Krejci, while the Oilers got goals from Kailer Yamamoto and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins. Leon Draisaitl capped the win off just 37 seconds into overtime, giving the Bruins back-to-back losses for the first time this season.
Game Thoughts:
Bruins lose Kevan Miller
Already without Torey Krug, the Bruins defense is taking another hit. Kevan Miller left the game after blocking a shot and did not return.
“He'll be further evaluated. Blocked shot, so we'll see how that turns out,” Cassidy said.
Miller has been solid early on for the Bruins, playing his normal reliable defense. If Miller is out for an extended period of time, Steven Kampfer will jump into action until Krug returns.
Cassidy adjusts lines
Marchand-Bergeron-Pastrnak
Jake DeBrusk-David Krejci-Danton Heinen
Ryan Donato-David Backes-Chris Wagner
Joakim Nordstrom-Sean Kuraly-Noel Acciari
Heinen returned to the lineup and had his best game of the young season. He was very engaged and gelled nicely with DeBrusk and Krejci. Heinen picked up his first assist of the season on Krejci’s goal. The move I liked the most was Wagner on the third line. The guy is quickly becoming a fan favorite in Boston with his big hits and hustle on the ice. Hopefully Backes is able to go in Vancouver Saturday, I’m intrigued at seeing what Donato, Backes and Wagner can do in a full game together.
Halak solid in loss
After another
shaky start by Tuukka Rask, all eyes were on backup goalie Jaroslav Halak.
Halak wasn’t tested too much on Thursday, but he made the saves he was supposed to and kept the Bruins in the game, allowing the team to pick up the point in overtime.
With Rask struggling early on, any positives that can be taken from an Halak start is a step forward for him. The start by Rask and solid play from Halak is pushing a bit of a goalie competition early on.
Chara’s 900th
Thursday marked captain Zdeno Chara’s 900th game as a Bruin. 900 seems crazy as I feel like it was just yesterday a towering Chara made his Bruins debut.
Chara joins Ray Bourque, Johnny Bucyk, Wayne Cashman, Don Sweeney and teammate Patrice Bergeron as the only members of the Bruins 900 club.
“I definitely appreciate it. It's a huge honor. It's a privilege, It's been obviously quite some time, but I'm very proud to be a part of this organization and I'm very thankful to have the owners like we have,” Chara said. “They make it very convenient for me and my family to stay in this organization and Boston for as long as we have. It's been great and I'm really thankful.”
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