Backes avoided structural damage after getting cut by a skate in Saturday's game against the Lightning, Joe Haggerty of NBC Sports Boston reports.

EDGE Analysis

According to Joe McDonald of BostonSportsJournal.com, the veteran said that he's OK, despite requiring what coach Bruce Cassidy estimated was around 18 stitches after he was cut by Lightning forward Yanni Gourde's skate while Backes fell into the net. This is great news for Backes and his fantasy owners, who can now hold out hope that he'll be good to go Monday against the Blue Jackets.