Boston Bruins: David Backes puts up a strong performance upon return

David Backes made his return to the line-up in emphatic fashion, scoring the game winner for the Boston Bruins as they downed the Montreal Canadiens 3-1.

While David Backes wasn’t afforded any more ice-time than usual by Boston Bruins head coach, Bruce Cassidy; he did manage to make an impression in his 9 minutes.

Lining up alongside Joakim Nordstrom and Par Lindholm, David Backes put up a strong fourth line performance for the Boston Bruins.

Given his limited time on the ice, the fact he grabbed a goal is remarkable in itself, especially as he was returning from a thirteen game lay-off and the Canadiens weren’t exactly playing light (as the teams’ second period scuffle can attest to).

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The Boston Bruins manged to put up 14 chances with David Backes on the ice, giving up just 2 against. Much of this is skewed by primarily offensive zone utilisation, but it still required the fourth line to maintain puck possession.

A team leading 84.62% Corsi score, which translates to a relative 41.58% (both at even-strength) sums up just how well the team did in regards to creating scoring chances and not giving the Habs a look-in when David Backes was out there.

By comparison, line mate Joakim Nordstrom, who saw just 2 seconds more even-strength ice-time managed a 64.71% score.

One game doesn’t suddenly turn David Backes into a world-beater. Historically, he has been a decent player and these Corsi totals obviously aren’t reflective as they’d suggest that he’s suddenly a crazy elite player – they’re tied to a very limited sample size and thus we shouldn’t read too much.

However, even ignoring the advanced statistics, it was clear that David Backes is back and out to prove himself once more. He showed a little rust from his lay-off, but nothing that he can’t shake off with a few more games.

Most importantly, he showed no ill effect from the nasty clash between him and Scott Sabourin that left the latter knocked out and Backes on injured reserve.

For a player just getting back into the line-up from injury and doing so on the fourth line, he did exactly what was asked of him and what’s more he added a goal, the game-winner no less.

It doesn’t make him or his eye-watering contract trade-able just yet, but it means that we’re at least deriving a little value.

Statistics courtesy of Natural Stat Trick.