Backes (upper body) is suspected to have a concussion after a collision with Scott Sabourin of the Senators in Saturday's game, Joe Haggerty of NBC Sports Boston reports.

EDGE Analysis

It was unclear why Backes left the game initially. While nothing is certain regarding the veteran's status, he may have ended up suffering a serious injury on the same play that resulted in Sabourin being stretchered off the ice. Backes has a history with concussions, so if that is in fact the injury, the Bruins will be careful with managing his return to action.

Backes (upper body) left Saturday's game versus Ottawa after colliding with Scott Sabourin in the first period, Conor Ryan of MassLive.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Backes and Sabourin collided in the neutral zone, with Sabourin getting the worst of it and having to be removed from the ice on a stretcher. There has been no word yet on why Backes left, whether it had to do with an injury of his own or to just support Sabourin, but expect the Bruins to update Backes' situation after the game.

Backes picked up his first point of the season -- an assist -- in Tuesday's 5-1 win over the Sharks.

EDGE Analysis

Backes has been in and out of the lineup this season, but with injuries to Joakim Nordstrom (infection) and Karson Kuhlman (leg), he has skated the last two games on the fourth line. The line worked well against San Jose, as Backes' pass sent Chris Wagner on a breakaway for a goal midway through the second period.

Backes had three shots on goal, a hit and a penalty during 12:08 of ice time in Tuesday's 4-3 win over Vegas.

EDGE Analysis

After sitting out Saturday's game against Arizona, Backes was back on the fourth line. Expect the 35-year-old to pop in and out of the lineup as head coach Bruce Cassidy tries to find the best plan of attack for his right wingers.

Backes hired a figure skating coach this summer, he told Joe McDonald of The Athletic.

EDGE Analysis

Last season was Backes' worst season by a significant margin, including being scratched during the last three games of the Stanley Cup Final. He has struggled to keep up with the speed of today's game, so hiring a skating coach is a good move for the 13-year veteran. Backes will stick in the bottom six with the Bruins, but his fantasy relevance is long gone.

Backes notched an assist in Thursday's 4-1 victory over Columbus.

EDGE Analysis

Backes is expected to hold on to his spot in the lineup for Saturday's Game 5, Conor Ryan of MassLive.com reports. Considering the winger served as a healthy scratch in five straight games prior to Game 4, he will likely be on a short leash. Still, if Backes can continue to fill his role as a depth scoring option, he should be able to hold off Karson Kuhlman.

Backes will draw into the lineup for Thursday's Game 4 against the Blue Jackets, Amalie Benjamin of NHL.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The Bruins have struggled to generate traffic in front of Sergei Bobrovsky since their victory in Game 1, so they'll hope Backes will be able to join the action after being scratched for five consecutive contests and establish himself as a dominant net-front presence. The veteran winger will skate with David Krejci and Jake DeBrusk on Boston's second line Thursday.

After being scratched in Game 1, Backes will play Saturday against Toronto.

EDGE Analysis

Bruins head coach Bruce Cassidy will insert Backes into the lineup, hoping the veteran's presence provides a jolt to his club, as a loss in Game 2 would put Boston behind the eightball. No word yet on where he'll skate in Boston's lineup, but Backes will likely occupy a bottom-six role. In 67 career playoff games, the 34-year-old has scored 15 goals to go along with 19 assists.

Backes could be back in the Bruins' starting lineup for Saturday's Game 2, Joe Haggerty of NBC Sports Boston reports

EDGE Analysis

Backes was a healthy scratch for Game 1 on Thursday -- the first time in his career he has been a healthy scratch in a postseason game -- but it looks like head coach Bruce Cassidy is contemplating a return to the lineup for the veteran. Backes has 34 points in 67 career playoff games, including three in 12 games last season.

Backes tallied his seventh goal of the season in Sunday's 6-3 loss to the Red Wings.

EDGE Analysis

Backes' goal gave the Bruins a 3-2 lead at the time, but they were unable to hold off what became a five-point night from Red Wings winger Anthony Mantha. Backes has 20 points in 67 games this year. With four games left, it's possible, albeit unlikely, he reaches his previous career low of 23 points, set in his rookie season of 2006-07. He does have 132 hits and 122 shots on the campaign, which has salvaged a little value in deeper formats, but the days where Backes would reliably top 50 points are a thing of the past.