Boston Bruins forward David Backes was informed Friday by the NHL that he won’t be suspended for his hit Thursday night against Vincent Trocheck of the Florida Panthers, despite receiving a match penalty and game misconduct.

Backes, who recently served a three-game suspension after a late hit against Frans Nielsen of the Detroit Red Wings, was critical of the penalty call after Thursday’s game and was relieved Friday to find out that he won’t get another suspension.

“The thoughts are that I do everything to minimize any catastrophic injury there,” Backes told NESN.com. “It’s a play where (Trocheck) is in a vulnerable position, but got the puck. So body contact is not something they are trying to take out of the game. They still want physicality in the game, so it’s good news from my front and there is no further action to be taken.”

DUCKS: Defenseman Kevin Bieksa will be out for 2 to 5 weeks after surgery to remove scar tissue from his left hand.

FORMER NHL forward Ilya Kovalchuk says he wants to return to the league this summer and play there for “several more years.”

Kovalchuk left the New Jersey Devils in 2013 to return to Russia, where he has since won two Kontinental Hockey League titles.

FRIDAY’S GAME

CAPITALS 6, ISLANDERS 3: Alex Chiasson had a goal and two assists as Washington won at home to sweep a back-to-back set against skidding New York.


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