Bourque prepares for payback

THE CANADIAN PRESS

BROSSARD, Que. -- Montreal Canadiens newcomer Rene Bourque expects some payback from the Capitals for his elbow that sidelined Washington scoring star Nicklas Backstrom.

"Obviously I don't feel good about what I did and I apologized, but I'm sure there will be a few guys probably coming after me," Bourque said Tuesday. "It's part of the game.

"It happens to guys all the time. I'm sure I'll get every check finished on me. You just have to be prepared for it."

The Capitals visit the Bell Centre on Wednesday night.

Bourque was a member of the Calgary Flames when he nailed Backstrom with an elbow to the jaw on Jan. 3. League disciplinarian Brendan Shanahan slapped Bourque with a five-game suspension.

Backstrom, the Caps's scoring leader, suffered a concussion and is not expected back before the all-star break next week.

"Hopefully, he's coming around; all the best to him," said Bourque.

Bourque would not have seen Washington again for another year had he not been traded to Montreal last week in the deal that sent Michael Cammalleri to the Flames.

He served the final game of his suspension on Saturday and made his Montreal debut in 4-1 victory Sunday against the New York Rangers.