Bruce Cassidy Explains Why David Backes Will Likely Be Scratched For Game 1.

"Well, we have 13 healthy forwards right now for 12 spots. I will tell you this, I do expect the first game to be the fastest game of the series," Cassidy said. "I think Toronto understands how they have to play to beat us and I think we can certainly keep up the pace, I think we're a more physical team once it gets going. Last year we kind of dragged them into that game, I think it worked in our favor. I don't know if they'll bite on that again this year, so I think the first game we're looking at probably dressing our fastest lineup.

"We've got a couple more days to decide and sort through it, but that's kind of the direction we're going, so that might keep Backes out of Game 1," Cassidy continued. "But his role changed a little bit the second half of the year, he became more of a physical player, back to his roots, so to speak. He had had some injuries and I think it took him a while to sort of grab onto that. He played very well for us, so he's going to be a key part for us at some point (even if he) doesn't play Game 1. But I still think he'll be in there and he'll play some solid minutes for us at some point."