As expected, there aren’t many specifics regarding the condition of St. Louis Blues captain David Backes, particularly if he’ll be able to play in Game 3. Even so, Blues head coach Ken Hitchock’s vague update probably says a lot:
Asked how Backes is doing, Hitch replied: "How do you think he is? Not great. So, let the league deal with it." #stlblues
— Jeremy Rutherford (@jprutherford) April 19, 2014
Other than that, Hitchcock was careful to avoid the kind of comments that might draw a fine.
While it might slip under the radar thanks to the higher profile hit by Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Brent Seabrook, Hitchcock also expressed concern about Vladimir Sobotka’s knee after a collision with ‘Hawks forward Bryan Bickell.
Injury-wise, Hitch said that he was equally concerned about Sobotka after he was kneed by Bickell. "Break of a lifetime," he said.
— Jeremy Rutherford (@jprutherford) April 19, 2014
Seabrook defended the check he delivered, but Chicago head coach Joel Quenneville avoided making a comment; he told CSNChicago.com’s Tracey Myers that he hasn’t had time to analyze the hit just yet.
Not surprisingly, Blues such as Alex Pietrangelo expressed their displeasure in ways that their coach could not.
Alex Pietrangelo on Brent Seabrook's hit: "That’s the stuff that we’re trying to get out of the game. It’s a dangerous hit." #Blackhawks
— Mark Lazerus (@MarkLazerus) April 19, 2014
However both teams - not to mention the league - feel about that blow on Backes, NHL.com’s Lou Korac reports that it was a motivational moment for the Blues.
“As soon as that hit happened, we’re like, ‘We’re winning this for him,’” Chris Porter said.
It remains to be seen if Backes will be healthy enough and if Seabrook will be suspended through Game 3, which takes on Monday in Chicago.