Bruins’ Backes Hit With 3-Game Suspension For Hit Against Red Wings

The Boston Bruins are currently playing without center Patrice Bergeron, defenseman Charlie McAvoy and goalie Tuukka Rask. They'll now have to add forward David Backes to the list of unavailable players, as he serves a three-game penalty handed down by the NHL today.

Backes was assessed a roughing penalty for a hit on Detroit's Frans Nielsen, at the end of the first period on Tuesday night.

Video and audio breakdown of the play released by NHL Player Safety explains that Backes interfered on the play and caused a hit to the head of his opponent.

In the breakdown, the league acknowledges that Backes, who has never been previously fined or suspended in his 848 NHL games, did try to contort his body to lessen the impact on the hit.

They did, however, deem the hit to be worthy of the winger's first ever suspension, citing that Nielsen was forced out of the game by the hit, which was viewed as late and causing unneeded contact with the head.