Scouting Report
These two are closely matched in overall FO% (48.4% vs 49.0%). Look for Ward on defensive-zone draws (80% H2H, 5 meetings).
Prediction Breakdown
Model
XGBoost ML Model
Overall FO% (Bayesian)
Ward 48.4% vs Backlund 49.0% (-0.6%)
H2H factor
Ward leads 7-6 in 13 meetings
Offensive zone
Backlund 53.2%
Defensive zone
Backlund 61.7%
Neutral zone
Backlund 54.3%
Result
Mikael Backlund favored at 56.6%
43.4%
56.6%
Ward
Backlund
Head-to-Head Record
7
-
6
(13 meetings)
7
6
Ward
Backlund
Last 10: Ward 5-5 Backlund
Zone Breakdown
Offensive Zone
Even
3
3
Ward
Backlund
6 total
Defensive Zone
Edge: Ward
4
1
Ward
Backlund
5 total
Neutral Zone
Edge: Backlund
0
2
Ward
Backlund
2 total
Situation Matchup
Situation
Ward
Backlund
Edge
Even Strength
51.3% (1,186)
49.7% (13,410)
+1.6%
Power Play
53.4% (238)
51.6% (1,336)
+1.8%
Penalty Kill
35.5% (366)
44.0% (2,446)
-8.5%
On penalty kill, Backlund has a +8.5% edge.
Handedness & Splits
Handedness
Backlund shoots left. Ward is 48.6% vs left-shot opponents (1,320).
Ward shoots right. Backlund is 49.5% vs right-shot opponents (6,244).
Home / Away
Ward
Backlund
Home
50.3% (870)
49.7% (8,565)
Away
46.5% (921)
48.3% (8,632)
By Period
Ward
Backlund
P1
47.6%
48.5%
P2
47.5%
50.3%
P3
50.3%
48.4%
OT
30.8%
44.1%
Final 5 min
45.4%
48.3%
Recent Form
Player
Last 50
Last 200
Career
Ward
44.0%▼
47.0%
48.4%
Backlund
52.0%▲
48.0%
49.0%
Recent Faceoffs
| Date | Period | Time | Zone | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 28, 2017 | 2 | 08:33 | Offensive | Mikael Backlund |
| Jan 11, 2017 | 3 | 19:37 | Offensive | Mikael Backlund |
| Nov 3, 2016 | 3 | 17:21 | Offensive | Joel Ward |
| Nov 3, 2016 | 1 | 10:37 | Defensive | Mikael Backlund |
| Feb 11, 2016 | 2 | 14:35 | Defensive | Joel Ward |
| Feb 11, 2016 | 2 | 14:31 | Defensive | Joel Ward |
| Jan 11, 2016 | 3 | 04:16 | Offensive | Mikael Backlund |
| Jan 11, 2016 | 2 | 16:14 | Defensive | Joel Ward |
| Dec 8, 2015 | 3 | 01:59 | Offensive | Joel Ward |
| Dec 8, 2015 | 2 | 12:23 | Neutral | Mikael Backlund |
| Dec 8, 2015 | 2 | 12:18 | Defensive | Joel Ward |
| Nov 28, 2015 | 1 | 06:51 | Offensive | Joel Ward |
| Nov 28, 2015 | 1 | 03:53 | Neutral | Mikael Backlund |