Backes scored a power-play goal in Wednesday night's 3-2 shootout win over Chicago. He extends his point streak to four games.

EDGE Analysis

Backes has emerged from a fallow period and now has seven points (four goals, three assists) in the past eight games. We thought that losing linemate Alex Steen (upper body) would have a negative impact on Backes' production, but the Minneapolis-native has weathered that storm quite well. Steen was back on ice practicing with the team this week, so Backes will be getting a good playmaker back on his line with the next two weeks.

Backes started Saturday's game centering a line with Dmitrij Jaskin and Magnus Paajarvi on the wings. He finished with one shot on goal in 17:58 TOI in a 5-0 loss to Nashville.

EDGE Analysis

The Blues are dealing with several losses at forward, which necessitated some line tweaking that may not promote good scoring opportunities for Backes. Jaskin and Paajarvi -- 15 points between them -- are not the same as skating with Alex Steen (upper body) or Patrik Berglund, who started the game on another line as Jori Lehtera's replacement between Jaden Schwartz and Vladimir Tarasenko. Backes eventually got some shifts with the productive Schwartz / Tarasenko duo, but the game was well out of hand by then. The Blues are right back at it Sunday when the face the Hurricanes in Carolina.

The Blues will not be re-signing Backes to a contract extension prior to Monday's deadline, meaning the power forward/center will become an unrestricted free agent this coming summer, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

EDGE Analysis

Backes, 31, is wrapping up a five-year contract and has been a Blue for 10 seasons. The Minneapolis-native has been a sturdy force in St. Louis, routinely at or near the team lead in PIM and hits, and a Selke candidate each of the last five seasons. It would appear there's still something in his tank and that Backes can be a contributor to any team for the next few seasons.

Backes lit the lamp on the power play in Monday night's 6-3 loss to San Jose. It was his second goal, and third point, in two games.

EDGE Analysis

Backes had been grinding prior to this two-game run, having been point-less in nine of the previous 10 games. The power-play point was his first since Jan. 6. The points may continue to be scarce for Backes, who will be skating without linemate Alex Steen, the Blues' most complete player who will miss at least the next month with an upper-body injury.

Backes netted his 14th goal of the season and had an assist Saturday against the Coyotes.

EDGE Analysis

The 31-year-old continues to skate on the top line and now has 32 points in 61 games. He's having a down year offensively, but he still remains valuable in fantasy with his decent goal total and 59 PIM. Look for Backes to build off his two-point effort Saturday, as the Blues are rolling and have won five straight games.

Backes scored his 13th goal of the season and had an assist in Friday's win over Florida.

EDGE Analysis

A much-needed offensive outburst from Backes, who had gone six straight games without a point. The 31-year-old continues to skate on the first line and has managed 13 goals and 30 points in 57 games this season. He's not the 30-goal-scorer he once was, but with four power-play tallies and 55 PIM, he remains a decent fantasy option.

Backes chipped in with assists on both St. Louis goals Wednesday in a 2-1 win over Detroit.

EDGE Analysis

Backes has been reasonably productive of late, recording four points in his last five games. He's still having a bit of a rough season by his standards with 28 points in 50 contests, but the veteran power forward is still an above-average multi-categorical contributor that'll help out with shots on goals, PIM and hits. Hopefully he can find a way to light the lamp a bit more in the second half, as his 12 goals have him on pace for just 20 this season, which would be his lowest total since 2009-10 (17).

Backes scored an empty-net goal Tuesday in a 5-2 win over visiting New Jersey.

EDGE Analysis

That's 12 goals and 25 points 46 games this season for the American power forward, who has helped round out his decreased scoring production with 39 PIM and 96 shots on goal. The 31-year-old hasn't scored less than 24 goals or 54 points in a full NHL season since 2009-10 and normally eclipses the 100-PIM mark every year, so the fact that he's on pace for 21 goals, 44 points and 70 PIM is likely a letdown for owners that drafted Backes for his prowess across multiple fantasy categories.

Backes scored the game-winning goal and added an assist Saturday against the Stars.

EDGE Analysis

A strong fantasy night for Backes, who also dropped the gloves, earning himself a five-minute major. The 31-year-old captain has now scored in three straight games and is up to 17 points (nine goals) in 30 games on the year. His strong PIM totals, combined with his 20-30-goal potential makes him a solid all-around fantasy option.

Backes picked up an assist in the Blues' comeback win Monday against the Sabres.

EDGE Analysis

Even with the assist, Backes saw a significant drop in ice time Monday, logging just over 15 minutes, more than four minutes below his season average. His struggle to regain last season's 50-point form persists, managing only two assists in the last four games.