Nice returns for Backes, Marchand, Spooner

BRUINS NOTEBOOK

David Backes did not get on the scoresheet in the Bruins’ 3-2 win over the Tampa Bay Lightning last night, but he didn’t have to do that to have his evening deemed a rousing success.

Backes was back in the lineup less than a month after undergoing surgery to have 10 inches of his colon removed due to diverticulitis and he made his presence felt. He played 18:58, notched a game-high five hits and won 7-of-10 draws, including a big defensive zone win late in the game.

“I think I felt better than I expected to feel,” Backes said. “Four weeks off, 20-something games into the season, everyone’s hitting their stride. Trying to catch up from 10 days sitting around not doing anything is a bit of a challenge. But that’s a credit to the training staff and strength staff.”

Backes admitted to being pleasantly surprised at his quick recovery.

“A little bit,” Backes said. “As I was given permission to do things, I was reporting honestly how my body was responding and the surgeon and docs were honest about letting me progress at a rate that I was comfortable with. There was always the caveat of, ‘If it hurts, don’t do it. Stop.’ Then we’ll regroup and maybe take a little more time to heal. I think the benefit might be that the surgery is usually done on older people that are maybe not in great shape and I might have been able to beat the norm a little bit that way, starting off in a little better shape. But having to get back to NHL pace might have taken a little longer, too.”

Brad Marchand, who had missed eight of the previous 10 games with what presumed to be a concussion, also returned with a strong game, picking up a pair of assists, saying he “felt good” in 22:09 of ice time.

Ryan Spooner also returned to action after missing one game. He played just 10:11 but came up with a pretty assist on Torey Krug’s game-winner.

Bjork draws closer

Anders Bjork, who has been out since taking a big hit from Toronto’s Matt Martin on Nov. 11, took part in the optional morning skate and coach Bruce Cassidy said the rookie is a possibility for Saturday’s matinee in Philadelphia.

“I’m feeling a lot better. It feels good to be back on the ice skating and with the team, too,” Bjork said.

It was a brutal hit from a big man, but Bjork felt good enough afterward to speak with reporters. While remaining vague, he said his issues came on the next day.

“I’d prefer not to talk about the injury, but I’m doing well and hopefully I can be back a game soon and help the team out,” Bjork said.

The forward said Saturday seems feasible, but “I want to be ready to go 100 percent both skill-wise and conditioning-wise when I play in a game and put my best foot forward.”

He said the biggest challenge has been keeping the right mindset.

“I guess just staying positive and feeling like I’m part of the team even though I’m not in the games. I’m just supporting the team as best as I can,” said Bjork

Coach defends Krug

Krug came into the night at a team-worst minus-9, but Cassidy believes those numbers are deceptive, and he sees Krug improving at both ends.

“I think offensively his game is rounding into form. He’s made his plays,” Cassidy said. “We’ll always push Torey to be that full 200foot player. I don’t think you can ask him to sit there and clear out the front of the net like (Kevan) Miller and (Brandon) Carlo but we’re going to ask him to be conscientious about that part of his game without losing the offensive part. Those guys, those offensive defensemen, are always looking to transition. That’s a strength of his game. But let’s make sure we clean up what’s in front of us first. I think he’s done a good job with that . . . . So I think it’s a little bit inaccurate to judge him on that particular number.” . . .

David Krejci and Jake DeBrusk were both out of the lineup with upper body injuries and considered dayto-day. Adam McQuaid, out since suffering a broken fibula blocking a shot on Oct. 15, skated on his own before the team skate.