An NHL dinosaur roars in Boston

The climactic scene in Darren Aronofsky's "The Wrestler" sees a past-his-prime grappler ascend to the top turnbuckle of the ring and fly, headfirst, down onto the mat below. He does this despite dire health warnings that another match could cause irreversible damage to his body, perhaps even resulting in a fatality. He does this out of obligation to his fans and his business, but most of all out of an unending desire to remain relevant no matter the consequences. It's both exhilarating to see someone lay it on the line for what they love and horrifying that they feel compelled to do so.

I thought about that scene after David Backes of the Boston Bruins explained a recent change in his career…