Backes Makes Most of Special Day

BOSTON - Compared to what his wife battled through early Saturday morning, suiting up for a hockey game did not seem all that difficult for David Backes.
Boston's alternate captain made his way to TD Garden for the B's matinee with the Detroit Red Wings just hours after his wife, Kelly, gave birth to the couple's first son, Dawson Michael. Following eight-pound, nine-ounce Dawson's arrival at 1:12 a.m., Backes managed to grab a few hours of sleep before reporting for duty.

Backes showed no signs of fatigue as he notched two assists while helping the Bruins to a 3-1 victory over Detroit on Saturday afternoon.
"After what I saw my wife go through birthing that baby, I figured I could come on a few hours of sleep earlier today and get it done," said Backes, who also has young daughter Stella at home. "So quite a 24 hours for us here and good little family time for the holidays. Looking forward to it. Two points in a game here, another great win by our team. It's been a good stretch and we are going to enjoy the holidays."
In addition to his pair of helpers, Backes landed a hit, blocked a shot, and was a plus-1, all while bringing his patented leadership qualities, in a tad over 19 minutes of ice time.
"He was great - inspirational on the bench, big smile on his face coming in today, and why not? A nice, healthy baby boy and everyone is doing well, so we're all happy for him," said Bruins head coach Bruce Cassidy. "He was really dialed in. These are the types of games - the lower-scoring, more grind-it-out type of games where he really excels, and that is where we need him."
With Boston clinging to a one-goal lead late in the third period, Cassidy bumped Backes up to the right wing alongside Patrice Bergeron and Brad Marchand - a spot the veteran played in at times last season.
"They have played together before - a little heavier flavor with the goalie out - second centerman for draws," said Cassidy. "That is nothing on Pasta. We just moved him to more of the offensive role with three minutes to go, and if we can extend the lead with him, great. It's just Backs has a lot of experience doing that.
"I think he is a valuable guy in those situations, so we want to make sure we use it as much as possible, whether it is with that group or the other night, we had him with [Riley] Nash and [Danton] Heinen. They were really going well, but we want to use him in those situations."
The move paid off as Backes dug a puck out of the corner in the Bruins' end and fed Bergeron, who made his way down the right wing and put a bow on the victory with an empty-netter with 14 seconds to play.
"First of all, we're so happy for him. It's definitely an amazing moment for him and his family and we're really happy," said Bergeron, who had two goals on the afternoon. "It means a lot to us to see him, for him to show up and play that game. It's not easy, we know that. And I'm sure he was really tired and had other really important things on his mind. He did a really great job."

Backes also assisted on Boston's first goal, a 5-on-3 tally from Marchand in the first period. After some slick puck movement on the power play, Backes whipped a pass through the top of the crease to Marchand, who ripped it by Jimmy Howard's glove for a 1-0 Bruins lead.
"It just shows the character of him and what he's willing to battle through," said Marchand, who had a goal and two assists. "I mean, he didn't sleep all night - the last couple nights - so the fact that he came out and had such a big game is awesome. And obviously a huge congratulations to him and his family and we're all very excited for him.
"It's a great feeling for him to have the win and obviously a beautiful baby boy going into break and a few days to spend with the family."

After scoring the goal, Marchand made sure to grab the puck for Backes to have as a keepsake.
"He did steal that. I was wondering why he was grabbing it," said Backes. "It was my first point with the new baby and I do appreciate that and we'll find a special spot for that in his new room. That's still a long ways away, furnishing a room - I didn't think about that until right now so add that to the list."
For now, Backes is just glad to have the three-day Christmas break to spend with his newly expanded family.
"Probably a little less sleep than the last one with the new baby, but plenty of time with my now two kids," Backes said of his holiday plans. "I have my in-laws in town to help - a couple extra hands. Time at home, 72 hours with just the family, home-cooking and enjoy the season.
"Get to church and all the other things that we do as a family that really brings you back to, when all this hockey stuff - which has been fantastic to us - is done, what's still going to be left? And that's our family unit and that's what we rely on to keep us grounded and be very blessed like we are."

A Team Save

During the Bruins' win over Detroit, Tuukka Rask was credited with 30 saves. But the scoresheet should have counted one for Zdeno Chara, too.
After Gustav Nyquist batted a puck by Rask midway through the second, Chara swept it off the goal line to keep things tied at 1.
"Yeah, I lost it," said Rask. "[Chara's] just yelling don't move, don't move. I was doing spin-o-ramas there, so he made a great play."

International Flavor

On Saturday morning, Bruins prospects Trent Frederic (2016, 1st Round), Ryan Lindgren (2016 2nd Round), and Jeremy Swayman (2017, 4th Round) were named to Team USA's final roster for the upcoming 2018 IIHF Men's World Junior Championship in Buffalo.
Forward Oskar Steen, a 2016 sixth-round pick, was selected to Sweden's final roster.