Backes has served his three-game ban and is available for Saturday's matchup with Buffalo.

EDGE Analysis

Prior to his suspension, Backes was stuck in a nine-game goal drought, though he did manage to registered four assists during that stretch. Despite the slump, the winger continues to put pucks on the net, as he has 21 shots in those nine outings.

Backes has been suspended for three games for delivering an illegal check to the head to New Jersey's Blake Coleman during Thursday's 5-2 win over the Devils.

EDGE Analysis

The fact that Backes is considered a repeat offender definitely factored into the NHL Department of Player Safety's decision to hand him such a hefty suspension. The veteran forward won't be eligible to return to the lineup until Jan. 5 against the Sabres.

Backes will have a hearing with the league for his check on Blake Coleman on Thursday, the NHL Department of Player Safety announced Friday.

EDGE Analysis

The focal point of the hearing will no doubt be whether the head was the primary point of contact and if contact with the head was avoidable. Fantasy owners can expect the league to announce a decision regarding any supplemental discipline for Backes ahead of Saturday's matchup with Buffalo.

Backes assisted on the game's opening goal during a 4-0 win over the Canadiens on Monday.

EDGE Analysis

After a long scoreless drought to open the season, Backes has had a nice December with five points in nine games. The 34-year-old veteran has been skating on the second line since Jake DeBrusk (concussion) was sidelined, but will most likely stick with Joakim Nordstrom and Colby Cave even when DeBrusk returns from injury.

Backes (face) returned for the second period of Tuesday's game versus the Coyotes, Fluto Shinzawa of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Backes defied odds by returning, as Arizona's Oliver Ekman-Larsson's skate scraped his face in the first period and caused him to immediately head off the ice. Backes was sewed up and will tough it out.

Backes left Tuesday's game versus the Coyotes after taking Oliver Ekman-Larsson's skate to his face, Joe McDonald of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

It was a scary scene as Ekman-Larsson was falling to the ice and his skate blade incidentally made contact with Backes' face. Backes immediately left the ice and sprinted down the tunnel. The veteran forward is a tough player, but it would be surprising if he returns to this game.

Backes scored on the power play during a 6-3 win over the Maple Leafs on Saturday.

EDGE Analysis

After going scoreless in the first 12 games of the season, Backes has started to carve out his role in the offense. The 34-year-old has five points in his last seven games. He has not been as offensively potent as the Bruins would like, but it looks as though he has started to score at a third-line pace.

Backes scored the opening goal during an eventual 4-2 loss to the Red Wings on Saturday.

EDGE Analysis

The goal is only Backes' second of the season despite playing in 21 games. He has never managed to top 40 points in a season with Boston, and he won't come anywhere close this season either.

Backes scored a goal and added an assist in Saturday's 3-2 victory over Montreal.

EDGE Analysis

It took 18 games, but Backes finally got his first goal of the season. And his second assist. Long gone are his dominant, 50/100 power-forward years. Backes is a filler on the Bruins. He shouldn't be that on your roster.

Backes was credited with an assist for his first point of the season during a 6-3 loss to the Avalanche on Wednesday.

EDGE Analysis

It certainly was not the prettiest point as the puck just bounced off of him before David Pastrnak deposited the puck in the net. Backes had gone 12 games to start the season before registering his first point, and the Bruins are going to need him to get going offensively if the bottom six are going to factor into the scoresheet.