Backes scored his seventh goal of the season and recorded five shots on net during Monday's win over the Panthers.

EDGE Analysis

Backes has a respectable eight points -- five goals -- through his past 13 games with 34 shots on net. The 32-year-old veteran is no longer the cross-category fantasy monster he was in his prime, but Backs is still moving the needle enough across all categories to be a useful asset in deeper leagues.

Backes netted the game-winning goal against the Lightning on Sunday.

EDGE Analysis

It was the fifth goal of the season for Backes, who has scored twice in the last four games. The veteran is up to nine points in 17 games and has helped fantasy goers with 21 PIM. He hasn't been a huge point producer this season, but he's scoring and plays on the power play, so he makes for a quality fantasy play in most formats.

Backes dished an assist in Sunday's 2-0 win over Colorado.

EDGE Analysis

The 32-year-old has seven points in 11 games, but all of those points came in four games. He's been a productive forward this year, if not a consistent one.

Backes picked up a goal and an assist in Thursday's 5-2 win over the Blue Jackets.

EDGE Analysis

Backes has made himself right at home in Boston, picking up six points in his first nine games with the Bruins. He has three goals on the season, but this was his first since a two-goal performance in his team debut against this same Columbus team on Oct. 13.

As expected, Backes (elbow) will be in the lineup against the Rangers on Saturday, Joe Haggerty of CSNNE reports.

EDGE Analysis

Backes received the green light to play after taking to the ice for practice Saturday morning and slotting in on power-play drills. Fantasy owners should consider activating him in daily leagues, as he's a proven playmaker who also delivers a copious amount of hits each year.

Backes (elbow) was on the ice for practice Saturday morning, and his doing power-play drills could be a sign that he's ready to return for the evening's contest against the Rangers, Joe Haggerty of CSNNE reports.

EDGE Analysis

The Bruins have won two of the past five games without Backes in the lineup, so they could certainly use his grit and two-way skills in the top six. A 32-year-old veteran, Backes has four points and 20 hits through five games. We'll see how he looks in pregame warm-ups before saying for certain that you should plug him back into fantasy lineups.

Backes (elbow) has been skating and could be ready to play as soon as Saturday's game against the Rangers, the Boston Herald reports.

EDGE Analysis

The veteran forward has missed five games since undergoing a procedure on his elbow, but it looks as though he's nearing a return, at which time he'll presumably reclaim a top six role up front with the B's. Prior to being sidelined, Backes had notched two goals, four points, 11 PIM and a plus-5 rating over five contests out of the gate.

Backes (elbow) appears to be making progress in his injury rehab. "Backes is starting to skate today," coach Claude Julien said Wednesday. "He was cleared yesterday, so everybody's on track right now & heading in the right direction."

EDGE Analysis

Backes is currently on injured reserve, but early signs point to the veteran winger returning for Saturday's home contest against the Rangers. After spending his first 10 seasons in St. Louis, Backes has made a seamless transition to Boston, scoring two goals and four points with a plus-11 rating in just five games. Rookie Austin Czarnik is taking Backes' latest spot on the second line right wing in the meantime.

Backes (elbow) is listed on injured reserve on the NHL's official media site.

EDGE Analysis

Backes is technically already eligible to come off IR, but the Bruins recently said that he likely won't be available until they return home on Saturday to play the Rangers, so this move allows the B's a little flexibility with their roster until then. The right wing position in Boston is a mix of young players and fill-ins right now with David Pastrnak also out with a two game suspension, so the Bruins will welcome back Backes, who is sporting a respectable plus-5 rating through five games, with open arms when he's healthy enough.

Backes (elbow) is unlikely to suit up in either of Boston's next two contests.

EDGE Analysis

Initial reports indicated Backes might be able to join the team on their current road trip, but it seems as though he won't be available until Saturday, at the earliest, when the Bruins are back home against the Rangers. The winger tallied two goals and two helpers in the opening five games, but has been out of action for the previous three contests. During his absence, Boston have replaced the veteran with youngsters Danton Heinen and Austin Czarnik, but once healthy, Backes will almost certainly reclaim his place in the top-six and on the top power-play unit.