Who wins more faceoffs, Mathew Barzal or Nicklas Backstrom?

Mathew Barzal leads the head-to-head 6-3 across 9 faceoffs.

What is Mathew Barzal's faceoff record against Nicklas Backstrom?

Mathew Barzal is 6-3 against Nicklas Backstrom in head-to-head faceoffs. Zone breakdown: Offensive 2-0, Defensive 3-2, Neutral 1-1.

Who is predicted to win the next faceoff, Mathew Barzal or Nicklas Backstrom?

Nicklas Backstrom is the predicted winner with a 69.7% win probability based on historical stats and XGBoost ML analysis.

Mathew Barzal vs Nicklas Backstrom

Mathew BarzalR vs Nicklas BackstromL

2020-21 · Faceoff Head-to-Head

2025-26 2024-25 2023-24 2022-23 2021-22 All Seasons

Scouting Report

Nicklas Backstrom holds a +4.9% FO% edge overall. Look for Barzal on defensive-zone draws (60% H2H, 5 meetings).

Prediction Breakdown

Model XGBoost ML Model

Overall FO% (Bayesian) Barzal 44.9% vs Backstrom 48.5% (-4.9%)

H2H factor Not applied (9 meetings, need 10+)

Offensive zone Backstrom 53.9%

Defensive zone Backstrom 72.9%

Neutral zone Backstrom 77.7%

Result Nicklas Backstrom favored at 69.7%

30.3%

69.7%

Barzal Backstrom

Head-to-Head Record

6 - 3 (9 meetings)

Barzal Backstrom

Last 9: Barzal 6-3 Backstrom

Zone Breakdown

Offensive Zone

Edge: Barzal

Barzal Backstrom

2 total

Defensive Zone

Edge: Barzal

Barzal Backstrom

5 total

Neutral Zone

Even

Barzal Backstrom

2 total

Situation Matchup

Situation

Barzal

Backstrom

Edge

Even Strength

43.3% (314)

48.7% (635)

-5.4%

Power Play

45.5% (33)

42.0% (50)

+3.5%

Penalty Kill

33.3% (3)

50.0% (46)

-16.7%

On penalty kill, Backstrom has a +16.7% edge.

Handedness & Splits

Handedness

Backstrom shoots left. Barzal is 47.5% vs left-shot opponents (204).

Barzal shoots right. Backstrom is 45.2% vs right-shot opponents (354).

Home / Away

Barzal

Backstrom

Home

39.9% (168)

48.0% (348)

Away

46.7% (182)

48.6% (383)

By Period

Barzal

Backstrom

39.0%

49.6%

49.1%

48.2%

43.3%

47.3%

25.0%

37.5%

Final 5 min

30.5%

46.7%

Recent Form

Player

Last 50

Last 200

Career

Barzal

36.0%▼

44.0%

43.4%

Backstrom

50.0%▲

48.5%

48.3%

Recent Faceoffs

Date	Period	Time	Zone	Winner
Apr 6, 2021	3	07:48	Defensive	Nicklas Backstrom
Apr 6, 2021	3	01:27	Defensive	Nicklas Backstrom
Apr 6, 2021	1	09:25	Defensive	Mathew Barzal
Apr 6, 2021	1	09:10	Offensive	Mathew Barzal
Apr 6, 2021	1	05:08	Neutral	Mathew Barzal
Apr 1, 2021	2	12:38	Defensive	Mathew Barzal
Apr 1, 2021	1	17:54	Neutral	Nicklas Backstrom
Mar 16, 2021	1	07:49	Defensive	Mathew Barzal
Jan 28, 2021	2	19:30	Offensive	Mathew Barzal

Barzal's Profile | Backstrom's Profile