Backes (illness) is on the ice for pregame warmups and appears set to play Monday against the Maple Leafs.

EDGE Analysis

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.

Coach Bruce Cassidy relayed that Backes is "a little under the weather" and is thus a game-time decision for Monday's game against the Maple Leafs, CSN's Joe Haggerty reports.

EDGE Analysis

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.

Backes (undisclosed) was not spotted at Monday's morning skate, CSN's Joe Haggerty reports.

EDGE Analysis

Backes, who was shaken up in Wednesday's win over the Flames after going knee-first into the boards, was able to suit up Thursday against the Oilers, while logging 15:00 worth of ice time. Based on the B's lines at their morning skate, however, Jimmy Hayes is a candidate to fill at at right wing for Backes on Patrice Bergeron's line Monday night against the Maple Leafs.

Backes, who was shaken up during Wednesday's win over the Flames when he went knee-first into the boards, will test things out in warmups, but expects to play Thursday night against the Oilers, the Boston Herald reports.

EDGE Analysis

Not only did Backes return to Wednesday's game after his first-period injury scare, but he also scored the game-winning goal in the B's 5-2 win. It appears as though he'll shrug off his aches and pains Thursday, but those considering the power forward in fantasy lineups will want to keep an eye on his status during warmups, to be sure.

Backes scored the game-winning goal in 11:44 worth of ice time in Wednesday's 5-2 win over the Flames.

EDGE Analysis

The dip in Backes' ice time Wednesday is a result of the veteran forward missing some shifts after leaving the ice in the first period in the wake of sustaining what had the look of a nasty leg or knee injury. Given that he returned to the contest, Backes -- who has three points over his last two games -- should be fine for Thursday's tilt against the Oilers, though we suspect he may be a little sore.

Backes chipped in a goal and an assist at even strength Monday, contributing to a 6-3 road win over the Canucks.

EDGE Analysis

At this rate, Backes should see his goal-scoring output dip for the third straight season, with his debut campaign in Boston expected to yield 17 goals. The versatile veteran simply isn't asked to carry the team on his shoulders offensively like he was in past years captaining the Blues. Such a role belongs to Brad Marchand, who dialed in a hat trick in this most recent contest with Backes providing the secondary setup on the third goal.

Backes collected two assists, threw five body checks and registered a plus-3 rating during Wednesday's loss to Anaheim.

EDGE Analysis

The veteran winger is struggling to generate offense and has just three goals and nine points through his past 20 games. His 23 PIM and 60 hits during the span help, but in most seasonal leagues the lack of scoring makes him a marginal fantasy asset. Backes has been playing with Patrice Bergeron and Brad Marchand of late, though, so there is potential for him to begin marking the scoresheet more frequently going forward.

Backes exploded for a goal and two assists in Thursday's 6-3 win over the Sharks.

EDGE Analysis

He bookended this game, opening the scoring 52 seconds in and later helping Brad Marchand seal the deal with an empty-netter. This was huge for Backes, as he had been mired in an absolutely excruciating slump -- just a single lonely assist along with a minus-11 rating in his past 12 games. He's still seeing steady minutes anyway alongside the likes of Marchand and Patrice Bergeron, so there's buy-low value here.

Backes recorded six hits in 14:22 worth of ice time in Tuesday's 4-3 win over the Lightning.

EDGE Analysis

Backes, who logged a minus-2 rating in the game, has now gone five games without scoring a point. Overall, the veteran power forward has recorded 11 goals and 22 points to go along with 54 PIM in 45 contests, numbers that limit his fantasy utility to shallower formats. Of course, given that he's been skating on a line with crafty center David Krejci and promising sniper Frank Vatrano, it's not hard to imagine Backes -- who scored 21 goals in 79 games for the Blues last season -- getting on something of a roll as the season rolls along.

Backes (concussion) is expected to suit up for Saturday's game against the Panthers, NHL.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

As noted in the report, Backes declared himself fit to play following the game-day skate. "Yesterday, full practice and today to be out there and feeling good again," the veteran forward said. "It's nice to feel back to normal and hopefully back in action and be in the swing and the routine of NHL hockey." It appears safe to deploy Backes -- who has 19 points in 33 games and lines up on the second power-play unit -- wherever you need him in fantasy land.