Scouting Report
Mikael Backlund holds a +1.4% FO% edge overall. Look for Backlund on defensive-zone draws (75% H2H, 4 meetings). Kunin wins 46.7% vs left-shot opponents — Backlund shoots left.
Prediction Breakdown
Model
XGBoost ML Model
Overall FO% (Bayesian)
Kunin 47.6% vs Backlund 48.5% (-1.4%)
H2H factor
Not applied (6 meetings, need 10+)
Offensive zone
Kunin 69.4%
Defensive zone
Backlund 54.9%
Neutral zone
Kunin 58.7%
Result
Luke Kunin favored at 51.4%
51.4%
48.6%
Kunin
Backlund
Head-to-Head Record
1
-
5
(6 meetings)
1
5
Kunin
Backlund
Last 6: Kunin 1-5 Backlund
Zone Breakdown
Offensive Zone
Edge: Backlund
0
1
Kunin
Backlund
1 total
Defensive Zone
Edge: Backlund
1
3
Kunin
Backlund
4 total
Neutral Zone
Edge: Backlund
0
1
Kunin
Backlund
1 total
Situation Matchup
Situation
Kunin
Backlund
Edge
Even Strength
46.4% (276)
50.4% (1,032)
-4.0%
Power Play
50.0% (30)
52.3% (107)
-2.3%
Penalty Kill
47.8% (92)
40.6% (313)
+7.2%
On penalty kill, Kunin has a +7.2% edge.
Handedness & Splits
Handedness
Backlund shoots left. Kunin is 46.7% vs left-shot opponents (287).
Kunin shoots right. Backlund is 50.0% vs right-shot opponents (438).
Home / Away
Kunin
Backlund
Home
45.9% (194)
48.7% (749)
Away
48.0% (204)
48.1% (703)
By Period
Kunin
Backlund
P1
43.2%
50.4%
P2
46.3%
50.1%
P3
52.1%
45.8%
Final 5 min
40.4%
50.5%
Recent Form
Player
Last 50
Last 200
Career
Kunin
46.0%▼
53.0%
47.0%
Backlund
52.0%▲
48.0%
48.4%
Recent Faceoffs
| Date | Period | Time | Zone | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 23, 2025 | 1 | 10:43 | Defensive | Mikael Backlund |
| Dec 28, 2024 | 3 | 04:04 | Defensive | Mikael Backlund |
| Dec 28, 2024 | 2 | 17:24 | Defensive | Mikael Backlund |
| Dec 28, 2024 | 2 | 09:49 | Neutral | Mikael Backlund |
| Dec 28, 2024 | 2 | 09:31 | Defensive | Luke Kunin |
| Dec 28, 2024 | 1 | 16:35 | Offensive | Mikael Backlund |