Backes: 500 points a meaningful mark
BRUINS NOTEBOOK
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — David Backes would have preferred to notch his milestone in a winning effort and he was still smarting over a bad shift he had that led to the Nashville Predators’ insurance goal in the Bruins’ 5-3 loss last night.
But Backes, whose father Steven was in the stands at Bridgestone Arena, did indeed take a brief moment to relish his 500th career NHL point, notched on an assist when the B’s were mounting their comeback attempt that ultimately fell short. Backes pushed a loose puck out to Zdeno Chara and the captain beat Predators goalie Pekka Rinne with a bouncing shot.
“It’s a special thing,” said Backes, who scooped up the puck for the souvenir. “In this league to be able to play multiple years, to have 500 points is an honor. It’s a testament to a lot of the guys I played with that make me look good. To get it in a win would have been much more sweet. But I’ve got to get 501 and a win on Thursday (at the Garden against the Arizona Coyotes) and that’s going to be our focus when we get home and get a little rest.”
Backes had been stuck on 499 since Oct.26, mostly because he missed a dozen games following colon surgery after a couple of bouts with diverticulitis. While he absorbed a minus-2 last night, he is generally pleased with how he’s felt since his return.
“I feel like I’m skating well,” he said. “I feel like the time of working with (skating and skills coach Kim Brandvold) and getting a little more personal attention with the puck and being able to get into the group with a little more patience and poise (has helped).”
Backes said he’s still about eight pounds below his usual weight due in part to the surgery but also some self-imposed tweaks to his diet (less red meat, more fish and vegetables). He likes where he’s at right now.
“I’m gaining a little back, but I don’t think I need to gain it all back,” he said. “I think I’m in a good spot right now and perhaps with my new cleaner diet without all the meat weighing me down, it might be a better look for me.”
DeBrusk closes in
Jake DeBrusk (upperbody injury) continues to skate with the team but missed third straight game. Coach Bruce Cassidy believes the rookie winger is a possibility for Thursday’s home game against the Arizona Coyotes.
The B’s are currently at the roster limit of 23 and would have to make a corresponding roster move for DeBrusk to be taken off injured reserve.
“The players are aware of what’s going on,” Cassidy said. “We’ve tried to create a healthy competition throughout the lineup. We’ve seen up front where we’ve used younger guys over more established guys and you’re starting to see it on the back end with (defenseman Matt Grzelcyk) staying in there. We saw it in nets. So I think it’s good if it makes your team better. We have good character in the room, so guys understand what we’re trying to do.
“It’s not personal, it’s the business side of where you’ve got to do your part and do it well. And if not, there’s people pushing you. That’s what we want. We want a deep organization and we’re starting to see some of that.”
Barring another injury, general manager Don Sweeney will have a tough roster decision to make.
The three players scratched last night were defenseman Paul Postma and wingers Matt Beleskey and Frank Vatrano. All three players require waivers to be assigned to Providence of the AHL, and Vatrano would most likely get scooped up. Postma is likely safe as the seventh defenseman, which leaves Beleskey, a healthy scratch seven of the last eight games.
Beleskey’s contract situation ($3.8 million per season for two more years) would make it unlikely for him to be claimed. That would seem to make him the most likely candidate to go to Providence, unless Sweeney can swing a trade.
Spooner off center
Ryan Spooner was again on center David Krejci’s left wing. Cassidy said with Riley Nash and Sean Kuraly solidifying the bottom-six center roles, Spooner’s future could be as a winger.
“That’s where he fits right now and he’s just got to run with it,” Cassidy said. “Talking to him, he’s much more open to it. He just wants to play. He’s playing with good players. If he ends up back in the middle fine, but right now he’s OK playing the wing. At least that’s what’s been indicated to me and it showed in his play.”