Blues forward David Backes has only scored five times in 36 contests this season, but he's currently riding a two-game scoring streak. It may sound like a small feat, but the current streak is the only time this season the Blues captain has tallied in back-to-back games. "As a slow starter or whatever in a normal season, do the eight months of summer and lockout exacerbate that slow start for a big guy? I think it definitely does," Backes said. "Whether we're over that hump now, or what's going on, I don't know." The penalty minutes he has amassed have softened the blow for some of his fantasy owners, but his decrease in shots on goal are an indication the reduced offense may be the new reality for the power forward.