David Backes scores first goal in Blues win

Minneapolis native and Minnesota State-Mankato Alum David Backes scored his first goal of the season in the second period of a 3-2 OT loss to Phoenix Thursday night. The goal came on a strong wrist shot through traffic on a delayed penalty. Earlier in the shift he nearly scores on a rush into the offensive zone. SEE GOAL HERE

Backes has quickly turned into a leader on the Blues team playing on the power play and while short-handed playing at the very least 17 minutes a night. He averages 2.6 shots per game, but this is his first point of the year. This is his fourth year in the NHL and he has 55 career goals and 54 assists.

Backes played his high school career at Spring Lake Park before playing two years in the USHL followed by three years with the Mavericks.

Former Warroad and North Dakota star T.J. Oshie also plays forward for the Blues and is off to a bit of a slow start with only one assist in five games. However, Oshie has been asked to do a lot of the little things for St. Louis. Last night he played the most minutes of any forward on the penalty kill.

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Dustin Byfuglien scored the first goal of the game in a 3-1 win for Chicago over Nashville. It was Byfuglien's fourth goal of the season. It came just nine seconds into a power play as he banged home a shot rebound of the post from a shot from the point. SEE GOAL HERE

Byfuglien is successfully earning a reputation as a forward opposing defensemen hate to deal with out in front of their own net.