Adam McQuaid's Neck Cut by Teammate David Backes' Skate, Receives 25 Stitches

Boston Bruins defenseman Adam McQuaid needed 25 stitches after teammate David Backes' skate lacerated his neck in Saturday's game against the New Jersey Devils.

The Bruins said McQuad is expected to play Monday night against the Ottawa Senators. The play happened late in the third period of Saturday's 3-2 win when Backes accidentally sent his skate backward into McQuaid's neck while trying to regain his balance in a puck scrum.

"Initially, when I didn't see any blood, I figured that I was OK," McQuaid said, per ESPN.com. "They didn't blow the whistle, and [the play] was still going on in an obviously important part of the game. I was pretty helpless without my stick, but I was just trying to be a body getting in the way."

McQuaid did not practice Sunday. The ESPN report did not indicate whether he would wear special protection on his neck to avoid the stitches opening.

"I don't think many guys saw it on the ice," McQuaid said. "Once I got to the bench, Colin Miller at first was like, 'Oh, you're OK.' Then, 'No, actually, you're cut. You might want to have it looked at.'"

Sitting seventh in the Eastern Conference, Monday's game against Ottawa could be critical for the Bruins' playoff hopes. They sit two games behind the sixth-place Senators, who have played two fewer games than Boston.