Bruins' David Backes Day-To-Day With 'Minor Issue,' Will Miss Game Against Wild
BOSTON (CBS) -- The Boston Bruins are already without their top two goaltenders as they take on the Minnesota Wild Tuesday night at the TD Garden. They will also reportedly be without forward David Backes, who is day-to-day with what head coach Claude Julien termed a "minor issue."
Backes, 32, signed a five-year contract worth $30 million with the Bruins in the offseason. He is off to a strong start with two goals and four points in the Bruins' first five games, providing a strong net-front presence that the Bruins have lacked in recent seasons. He's also ninth in the NHL in hits with 20.
With the Bruins heading to New York to play the Rangers on Wednesday night, it's likely that the Bruins are simply being cautious with Backes for night one of a back-to-back.
Backes had been skating on a line with David Krejci prior to his injury. In his absence, Danton Heinen took his place at right wing with Matt Beleskey sliding up to left wing on the Bruins' lines at Tuesday's morning practice at Warrior Ice Arena.
Defenseman Adam McQuaid, meanwhile, will return to the lineup on Tuesday against Minnesota. McQuaid missed the first five games of the 2016-17 season with an upper-body injury.
Goaltender Malcolm Subban will make his second career NHL start on Tuesday night, as Julien called it an "opportunity for him to play well and show he can play in the NHL." McQuaid's return will be welcome for the Bruins' defense in front of the net, but Backes' absence in the lineup is sure to hurt the team as a whole.
