Last night’s preseason matchup with the New Jersey Devils was not a thrilling affair. Sure, the top draft pick of the 2019 NHL Entry Draft made his first appearance at the Garden but the Devils looked mostly flat throughout the night. On the other side of the puck, the Bruins looked almost ready for the season with their roster of mostly young guns. However the player of the night wasn’t the youngest or even young for that matter.
David Backes seems to be going into the season with a chip on his shoulder and this may benefit him. He was all over the ice, jawing with Devils’ players, making plays around the net. He led the team in shots on goal with 5 He would’ve had two goals on the night were it not for those pesky kids refs.
Bruce Cassidy: David — the more talking you do on the ice, the more likely it is you make the team
David Backes: Hold my beer… pic.twitter.com/bW2XSGTKzn
— Evan Marinofsky (@emarinofsky) September 25, 2019
Yes, No Goal returned in this game taking away a goal from Backes earlier in the second period and from Danton Heinen at the end of the it. Thankfully someone memorialized his disbelief at his goal being taken back.
The best Danton Heinen GIF to date pic.twitter.com/UF79I96IMQ
— Evan Marinofsky (@emarinofsky) September 26, 2019
But we’re getting ahead of ourselves here. The Bruins got on the board a little more than halfway through the first period when Jack Studnicka scored on a rebound off his face.
Jack Studnicka scores — by deflecting a puck off of his face and past Blackwood. Ouch.
1-0 Bruins. pic.twitter.com/cGLU95Yzid
— Conor Ryan (@ConorRyan_93) September 25, 2019
He barely celebrated as he skated off toward the room for repairs. He eventually returned to the ice about halfway through the second.
David Backes was officially the Second Star of the night only because Jaroslav Halak stopped all 25 shots against him. Backes’ goal cemented the win for the Bruins early in the third.
GOAL!
It’s David Backes with the magical hands!
Backes (1:22) #NJDevils 0#NHLBruins 2 pic.twitter.com/ZW9L46Tu6g
— Boston Bruins on CLNS (@BruinsCLNS) September 26, 2019
Great stuff from David Backes, who says he hasn’t felt this good in “a long, long time.”
He worked with a skating coach, former figure skater Katie McDonough, all summer. He called it “divine intervention.”
— Conor Ryan (@ConorRyan_93) September 26, 2019
Backes, he of deep faith, said meeting coach was “divine intervention.”
Playing shinny in Minny, was asked to say hello to a group of girls on another rink. He jumped in a drill with them — Mohawk turn, explode out — and couldn’t do it.
NHLer: humbled.
Summer plans: changed.— Matt Porter (@mattyports) September 26, 2019
Good for Backes. I hope this continues through the season.
That Heinen gif……..!!!
Hi folks,
Just finished watching the game. Or rather I had it on while working. The guys looked good even allowing for how bad the Devils were. It will be interesting to see if there are any surprises on the opening-night roster.
You’d like to see a few more goals go in in a match you’ve dominated, but there were the two that didn’t count, I suppose.
England v USA in the Rugby World Cup just finished. 45-7 to England, if you care, which I’m sure you don’t. I don’t either to be honest! Earlier Canada lost 48-7 to Italy.
Morning all. I keep thinking it’s Friday and then remembering it’s not and it’s really annoying.
Maybe if we all think hard enough…….
Poor Studnika:
Ouch!
Losing teeth for a pre-season goal! Poor guy
If you’re going to lose teeth scoring a goal, you really want it to be a Cup winner!
Hey All!
Great read this morn. Thanks, GH.
I don’t mind Backes being on a mission….. just don’t spend all your feel good in the preseason, eh?
I really wanted to head north today, but I’m being practical (this sucks!) and working in CT today.
Oh boo! Being practical is overrated!