David Backes Injury: Updates on Blues Captain's Head and Return

Updates from Friday, April 25

CSN's Tracey Myers reports that Backes will play:

Jeremy Rutherford of the St. Louis Post Dispatch previously reported Backes' status was uncertain:

The Blues' official Twitter feed added more info:

Updates from Thursday, April 24

Jeremy Rutherford of the St. Louis Post Dispatch has the latest on Backes:

Later Rutherford added:

Updates from Wednesday, April 23

John Shannon of Sportsnet reports David Backes is questionable to play tonight:

Lou Korac of NHL.com later confirmed Backes' status for Game 4:

Updates from Tuesday, April 22

Chris Kuc of the Chicago Tribune provides a statement from Blues head coach Ken Hitchcock discussing David Backes' injury status:

Updates from Monday, April 21

Sportsnet Hockey Central has the latest on David Backes:

Dan Rosen of NHL.com had more from Hitchcock on Backes:

Updates from Sunday, April 20

Louie Korac of NHL.com has the latest on David Backes' status for Game 3 against the Chicago Blackhawks: 

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If Game 3 of the Western Conference First Round series between the St. Louis Blues and Chicago Blackhawks was Sunday, one thing is certain: Blues captain David Backes would not be playing in it.

Backes, who was injured on a hit by Blackhawks defenseman Brent Seabrook with 4:51 remaining in the third period, did not take the ice Sunday at the Blues' training facility inside the Ice Zone at St. Louis Outlet Mall for an optional skate.

'All I know is he's upright and that's about it right now,' Blues coach Ken Hitchcock said. 'We don't have any further information and probably won't have until late [Monday].'

Backes, who did not return to the game, missed time earlier this season with concussion-like symptoms. The Blues didn't disclose the extent of the injury and Hitchcock would not rule Backes out for Game 3 on Monday in Chicago. 

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Original Text

St. Louis Blues captain David Backes was knocked out of Game 2 in the opening round of the Stanley Cup playoffs. As a result, the Chicago Blackhawks may be without the services of Brent Seabrook for a few games, too.

Backes was skating along the boards when Seabrook leveled him with a massive hit.

Seabrook was given a five-minute major and a game misconduct, while Backes was helped off the ice:

Nick Cotsonika of Yahoo Sports believes Seabrook should be suspended:

The health of Backes is also an ongoing storyline. He returned to his feet shortly after the hit and tried going after some Blackhawks players, but the Blues training staff wisely held him back.

Getting up quickly isn't always a sign that a player is all there, so there's no doubt the team will have Backes evaluated to determine if he suffered a concussion and how long it may keep him out.

After the game, Cotsonika spoke with coach Ken Hitchcock about Backes' status:

The Blues grabbed a 4-3 overtime victory Saturday to take a 2-0 series lead, so Backes' absence may not have a huge impact in this series. But there's no question St. Louis will need him back in the rounds to come.