Scouting Report
Mikael Backlund holds a +12.2% FO% edge overall. Look for Backlund on defensive-zone draws (100% H2H, 4 meetings). Zucker wins 35.9% vs left-shot opponents — Backlund shoots left.
Prediction Breakdown
Model
XGBoost ML Model
Overall FO% (Bayesian)
Zucker 43.4% vs Backlund 49.7% (-12.2%)
H2H factor
Not applied (5 meetings, need 10+)
Offensive zone
Zucker 93.6%
Defensive zone
Backlund 74.4%
Neutral zone
Zucker 73.1%
Result
Mikael Backlund favored at 60.8%
39.2%
60.8%
Zucker
Backlund
Head-to-Head Record
1
-
4
(5 meetings)
1
4
Zucker
Backlund
Last 5: Zucker 1-4 Backlund
Zone Breakdown
Offensive Zone
Edge: Zucker
1
0
Zucker
Backlund
1 total
Defensive Zone
Edge: Backlund
0
4
Zucker
Backlund
4 total
Situation Matchup
Situation
Zucker
Backlund
Edge
Even Strength
51.7% (29)
50.1% (891)
+1.6%
Power Play
32.5% (83)
53.1% (64)
-20.6%
On power play, Backlund has a +20.6% edge.
Handedness & Splits
Handedness
Backlund shoots left. Zucker is 35.9% vs left-shot opponents (78).
Zucker shoots left. Backlund is 49.9% vs left-shot opponents (871).
Home / Away
Zucker
Backlund
Home
45.2% (62)
48.1% (580)
Away
28.0% (50)
51.1% (653)
By Period
Zucker
Backlund
P1
48.9%
45.1%
P2
29.7%
54.7%
P3
28.6%
49.0%
Final 5 min
50.0%
47.2%
Recent Form
Player
Last 50
Last 200
Career
Zucker
42.0%▲
37.0%
37.5%
Backlund
52.0%▲
48.0%
49.7%
Recent Faceoffs
| Date | Period | Time | Zone | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 8, 2025 | 3 | 17:02 | Defensive | Mikael Backlund |
| Dec 8, 2025 | 2 | 03:45 | Defensive | Mikael Backlund |
| Dec 8, 2025 | 2 | 02:28 | Defensive | Mikael Backlund |
| Dec 8, 2025 | 1 | 10:40 | Offensive | Jason Zucker |
| Dec 8, 2025 | 1 | 01:26 | Defensive | Mikael Backlund |