On the Boston Bruins …
Andy Strickland: Forward David Backes is expected to play tonight.
Joe Haggerty: Backes confirms that he left Tuesday’s game in the third period to go to the Quiet Room after taking a high hit from Nick Ritchie: “It’s not a terrible idea with head injuries to say ‘let’s make sure there’s nothing here, so you don’t go out get another hit to the head.”
Joe Haggerty: Forward Anders Bjork and Noel Acciari are doubtful for tonight. They weren’t on the ice for practice yesterday.
Boston Bruins: The Bruins recalled forward Peter Cehlarik on an emergency basis.
On the Columbus Blue Jackets …
CBJ PR: The Blue Jackets assigned forward Markus Hannikainen to the AHL.
On the New Jersey Devils …
NHL Player Safety: Devils forward Tayler Hall was fined $5,000 for boarding Sabres forward Kyle Okposo.
On the New York Islanders …
Pierre LeBrun: Andrew Ladd returned to the Islanders lineup last night. He’s been out since January 5th.
On the New York Rangers …
Steve Zipay: Defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk remains on crutches but he’s been able to start working on his upper-body. Forward Chris Kreider has started light skating. There is no timetable on Kreider yet according to coach Alain Vigneault.
On the Ottawa Senators …
Ottawa Senators: The Senators reassigned Erik Burgdoerfer to the AHL.
Sens Communications: The Senators reassigned Filip Chlapik to the AHL.
On the Tampa Bay Lightning …
Cap Friendly: The Lightning acquired goaltender Eddie Pasquale from the Oilers for future considerations.
On the Toronto Maple Leafs …
Paul Hendrick: Defenseman Nikita Zaitsev returned to the Leafs lineup after missing the past 17 games.
Lance Hornby: Defensemen Roman Polak and Ron Hainsey missed last night’s game with an illness. Polak was placed on the IR so the Leafs could recall Justin Holl. Coach Mike Babcock isn’t sure if Polak or Hainsey will rejoin the team at some point on their road trip.