Backes skated 8:35 with one hit and one block in Thursday's 5-4 win over Winnipeg.

EDGE Analysis

It was only Backes' second time in the lineup over the past nine games. Even when Backes gets in games his ice time rarely reaches double digits -- he has averaged 8:33 in his 16 contests. This could be Backes' last season with the Bruins if the team decides to buy out the final year of his contract, which seems likely considering how little he's been used.

Backes picked up an assist in a 4-3 overtime loss to the Blackhawks on Thursday.

EDGE Analysis

After receiving a pass at center ice, Backes got by two Blackhawks skaters and threw a low shot on goalie Robin Lehner that spit out to Joakim Nordstrom for the Bruins' first goal of the game. Backes has two points in three games since coming back from an upper-body injury that kept him sidelined for 14 contests. However, he already looks to be the odd man out with the return of Brett Ritchie (infection), as he wasn't skating on a regular line Friday morning.

Backes scored a power-play goal that was the difference maker in a 3-1 win over Montreal on Sunday.

EDGE Analysis

Playing the bumper role on a Boston power play in the third period, Backes fired home his first goal of the year, beating a screened Carey Price to put the hosts ahead 2-1. The Bruins would add another to hand the Canadiens their eighth straight defeat. Backes, 35, only has two points in nine appearances in 2019-20, so don't expect him to find the scoresheet very often, especially while he's averaging just 8:22 of ice time per night.

Backes (upper body) has been cleared to rejoin the lineup ahead of Sunday's matchup with Montreal, Joe McDonald of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Backes has been sidelined for nearly a month with an upper-body injury, but he's finally been given the green light and should return to a bottom-six role against the Canadiens. The 35-year-old vet is more of a leader in the locker room than a producer on the ice for the Bruins at this stage in his career, so he won't be a viable fantasy option in 2019-20.

Backes (upper body) returned to practice in a non-contact sweater Saturday, Fluto Shinzawa of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Backes is clearly making progress in his recovery, but there's still no timeline for his return. The veteran forward will need to be cleared for contact before rejoining the lineup, so expect another update on his status once that occurs.

Backes (upper body) was placed on injured reserve retroactive to Nov. 2, per the NHL's official media site.

EDGE Analysis

Coach Bruce Cassidy confirmed Backes won't play Tuesday against the Panthers, and he's unsure of when the 35-year-old will be ready to return, according to Matt Porter of The Boston Globe. Brett Ritchie (upper body) is out as well, so Zachary Senshyn will remain with the big club and work on the third line for the time being.

Backes (upper body) won't play in Sunday's game against Philadelphia, Joe Haggerty of NBC Sports Boston reports.

EDGE Analysis

Backes has missed the last three games with the upper-body injury. The veteran has been reportedly "feeling better" but still doesn't have a timetable for a return.

Backes (lower body) won't travel to Detroit for Friday's game against the Red Wings.

EDGE Analysis

Backes has already missed Boston's last two games with an upper-body injury and now appears to be dealing with a separate, lower-body issue. The veteran forward is currently undergoing additional testing, so at this point there's no telling when he might be ready to rejoin the lineup.

Backes (upper body), as expected, won't play in either of the Bruins' next two games, Conor Ryan of MassLive.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Backes has served as a healthy scratch periodically this season, so his absence from the lineup is unlikely to affect the majority of fantasy owners. The Minneapolis native could struggle for minutes even once cleared to play. In his stead, Cameron Hughes will make his NHL debut versus the Penguins on Monday.

Coach Bruce Cassidy said Sunday that Backes is doubtful for Monday's game against Pittsburgh and Tuesday's game against Montreal.

EDGE Analysis

Backes was forced to leave Saturday's game after colliding with Scott Sabourin, and was suspected to suffer a concussion. Cassidy went on to say that Backes was checked out by team doctors Sunday morning, so it's likely the team didn't hear good news. If the veteran doesn't play the next two games, Brett Ritchie (undisclosed) is back to skating and could slot in to the lineup as the fourth-line right wing.