Scouting Report
Nicklas Backstrom holds a +4.2% FO% edge overall. Look for Backstrom on neutral-zone draws (75% H2H, 4 meetings). Staal wins 46.5% vs left-shot opponents — Backstrom shoots left.
Prediction Breakdown
Model
XGBoost ML Model
Overall FO% (Bayesian)
Staal 46.6% vs Backstrom 50.3% (-4.2%)
H2H factor
Not applied (6 meetings, need 10+)
Offensive zone
Backstrom 67.5%
Defensive zone
Staal 71.4%
Neutral zone
Backstrom 52.1%
Result
Nicklas Backstrom favored at 57.2%
42.8%
57.2%
Staal
Backstrom
Head-to-Head Record
3
-
3
(6 meetings)
3
3
Staal
Backstrom
Last 6: Staal 3-3 Backstrom
Zone Breakdown
Offensive Zone
Edge: Staal
2
0
Staal
Backstrom
2 total
Neutral Zone
Edge: Backstrom
1
3
Staal
Backstrom
4 total
Situation Matchup
Situation
Staal
Backstrom
Edge
Even Strength
49.6% (565)
51.4% (473)
-1.8%
Power Play
35.0% (20)
39.5% (38)
-4.5%
Penalty Kill
35.4% (158)
33.3% (3)
+2.1%
On power play, Backstrom has a +4.5% edge.
Handedness & Splits
Handedness
Backstrom shoots left. Staal is 46.5% vs left-shot opponents (475).
Staal shoots left. Backstrom is 53.2% vs left-shot opponents (342).
Home / Away
Staal
Backstrom
Home
46.1% (380)
53.6% (278)
Away
46.3% (363)
46.6% (236)
By Period
Staal
Backstrom
P1
45.7%
51.5%
P2
46.2%
56.0%
P3
46.5%
43.5%
Final 5 min
47.4%
48.7%
Recent Form
Player
Last 50
Last 200
Career
Staal
44.0%▼
47.0%
46.2%
Backstrom
50.0%▲
48.5%
50.4%
Recent Faceoffs
| Date | Period | Time | Zone | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 8, 2023 | 2 | 11:16 | Neutral | Nicklas Backstrom |
| Apr 8, 2023 | 1 | 16:28 | Neutral | Nicklas Backstrom |
| Feb 16, 2023 | 3 | 07:55 | Neutral | Nicklas Backstrom |
| Feb 16, 2023 | 3 | 03:54 | Offensive | Eric Staal |
| Feb 16, 2023 | 3 | 01:37 | Neutral | Eric Staal |
| Feb 16, 2023 | 1 | 07:28 | Offensive | Eric Staal |