David Backes exits first period of Bruins game with injury
TAMPA — Promoted to first-line center for Saturday night’s game against the Lightning, veteran Bruins forward David Backes exited the ice with what appeared to be a laceration high to his right leg with 21 seconds remaining in the first period after a pileup at the Tampa Bay net.
Backes, 33, straightened up from his fall in the crease and skated straight to the Boston bench in obvious pain, gesturing urgently toward trainer Don DelNegro all the way across the ice. DelNegro met him at the bench and the two hurried to the dressing room.
Teammate Torey Krug, speaking to 98.5 The Sports Hub between periods, said, “Scary, man,’’ when asked about Backes’s injury. “Any time you see a cut like that and a lot of blood — it’s a scary thing.’’
Backes, who fell somewhat awkward amid the scoring attempt, appeared to be clipped by the skate of Tampa Bay center Yanni Gourde.
The Bruins later confirmed the cut and that Backes required several stitches. He did not play the rest of the night.
UPDATE: David Backes suffered a laceration above his right knee requiring several stitches. David is resting and will not return to tonight’s game.
— x – Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) March 18, 2018
Promoted to the top pivot spot, moving in for Riley Nash, Backes scored his 12th goal of the season on a power play earlier in the period to hand the Bruins a 2-0 lead.
As Backes raced to the Boston bench upon being injured, blood was visible, seeping through his stocking near his right knee. His reaction, particularly his urgency to seek aid, led onlookers in the press box and in the radio booth to believe he suffered a laceration.
