Backed (undisclosed) returned to action in Monday's Game 5 against San Jose after he sat out the final two periods of Game 4. He had six hits, two blocked shots, two shots on goal and an assist in 16:32 of ice time in a 6-3 loss to the Sharks.

EDGE Analysis

The playing time is off Backes' average during this postseason (18:37), but the Blues captain played his typical game, showing up in all three zones. Backes and the Blues head to San Jose, down three games to two, for Game 6 on Wednesday.

Backes (undisclosed) will play in Monday's Game 5 against the Sharks, Jeremy Rutherford of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

EDGE Analysis

It remains unclear what type of injury Backes was dealing with, but after going through warm-ups prior to Game 5 on Monday, Backes is expected to take the ice. Backes has notched seven goals and six assists over 18 playoff games this post-season, so his return, as well as the return of Robby Fabbri, is great news for the Blues, who remain locked in a 2-2 series with the Sharks.

Backes (undisclosed) will warm-up with the team prior to Game 5 on Monday before a decision is made regarding his availability against the Sharks.

EDGE Analysis

With coach Ken Hitchcock remaining tight lipped about the nature of Backes's injury, it is difficult to determine whether or not these are head games being played by the bench boss or if there is something more serious going on with the 32-year-old. In the postseason, the winger has racked up 13 points in 18 contests and his absence from the lineup would be a significant blow to the Blues.

Blues head coach Ken Hitchcock said he'll know more about Backes' undisclosed injury in the next couple of days, but expects him to be ready for Game 5 on Monday, according to Curtis Pashelka of the Bay Area News Group.

EDGE Analysis

When Backes was last seen on the ice late in the first period of Saturday night's win over San Jose, he had finished off a check in the corner and showed no evidence of an injury. There were a few Twitter theories, but we'll let the Blues confirm the exact nature of the injury.

Backes (undisclosed) did not skate a shift in the second or third period of Saturday's game.

EDGE Analysis

There's no word on the nature of the injury. Replays of his final shift showed Backes delivering a hit in the offensive corner and then toiling in front of the net, but there were no signs of an injury. The Blues will undoubtably be coy with any information on the injury.

Backes (undisclosed) did not skate a shift in the second period of Saturday night's game against the Sharks, according to Pierre LeBrun of ESPN.

EDGE Analysis

Backes was out there on the bench for the entire second period, but never got off. He's back out on the bench for the third period, but still no word on the exact nature of his injury.

Backes had a team-high 11 hits and scored his seventh postseason goal in Sunday's win over the Sharks in Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals.

EDGE Analysis

Backes has been an absolute sniper in the postseason, leading the Blues with a 26.9 scoring percentage. The Blues' captain heated up during the Dallas series, when he registered eight points in seven games, and he kept that flow going to start the Western Conference Finals.

Backes tallied a goal and an assist in Wednesday's emphatic 6-1 victory over the Stars.

EDGE Analysis

Backes extended his point streak to three while also wrapping up a terrific series with his third multi-point effort since Game 2. The Blues captain has six goals and six assists through two rounds, and will continue to be a key player in the franchise's bid for their first Stanley Cup Finals appearance since 1970.

Backes potted in two goals -- one on the power play -- and amassed nine hits in Tuesday's 6-1 victory over the Stars in Game 3.

EDGE Analysis

Backes is gaining steam, as the 32-year-old has put up a multi-point outing in two straight. The Minnesota native has never been shy about laying people out -- three seasons in a row of 200-plus hits -- which is a nice addition to his potential to erupt for a big game. The center has now equaled the four points he put up in seven games against Chicago, and seems hungry for more as the Blues have the Stars on their heels.

Backes scored the overtime goal and also provided an assist in Sunday's Game 2 win over the Stars.

EDGE Analysis

On his 32nd birthday, Backes was able to gather a rebound and find twine 10:58 into the overtime period to even up the series. He's got six points through nine playoff games and has lit the lamp when it matters most -- all three of his goals have come in the third period or later, two of which have proven to be game-winners.