David Backes was the Boston Bruins’ prized free-agent signing over the summer, and for the first time Tuesday night at TD Garden he’ll take on the St. Louis Blues teammates he left.
Backes spent 10 seasons in St. Louis and was its captain for several of them. He’s tallied seven points (three goals, four assists) in 13 games for the Bruins so far, also providing the leadership and toughness that made him a favorite among Blues fans for a long time.
He’ll likely slot in at right wing on the second line alongside David Krekci and Matt Beleskey on Tuesday as the Bruins aim for their fifth win in the last six games. Boston’s leading goal scorer, right winger David Pastrnak, will miss another game with an upper body injury.
St. Louis, meanwhile, just swept a three-game homestand during which starting goalie Jake Allen posted a .940 save percentage or better in each matchup. The Blues are one of the NHL’s best teams and will provide a good test for the B’s.
Here are the projected lineups for both teams.
BOSTON BRUINS (11-7-0)
Brad Marchand–Patrice Bergeron–Riley Nash
Matt Beleskey–David Krejci–David Backes
Tim Schaller–Ryan Spooner–Austin Czarnik
Sean Kuraly–Dominic Moore–Jimmy Hayes
Zdeno Chara–Brandon Carlo
Torey Krug?Adam McQuaid
Joe Morrow–John-Michael Liles
Tuukka Rask
ST. LOUIS BLUES (10-6-3)
Jaden Schwartz–Paul Stastny–David Perron
Robby Fabbri–Jori Lehtera–Vladimir Tarasenko
Dmitrij Jaskin–Patrik Berglund–Ty Rattie
Scottie Upshall–Kyle Brodziak–Ryan Reaves
Jay Bouwmeester–Alex Pietrangelo
Carl Gunnarsson–Kevin Shattenkirk
Robert Bortuzzo–Colton Parayko
Jake Allen
Thumbnail photo via Winslow Townson/USA TODAY Sports Images
