Mikael Backlund vs Nick Bjugstad
All Seasons · Faceoff Head-to-Head
Scouting Report
These two are closely matched in overall FO% (49.0% vs 48.9%). Look for Bjugstad on neutral-zone draws (63% H2H, 16 meetings).
Prediction Breakdown
Model
XGBoost ML Model
Overall FO% (Bayesian)
Backlund 49.0% vs Bjugstad 48.9% (+0.1%)
H2H factor
Bjugstad leads 21-18 in 39 meetings
Offensive zone
Bjugstad 58.5%
Defensive zone
Backlund 54.0%
Neutral zone
Bjugstad 53.6%
Result
Nick Bjugstad favored at 53.6%
46.4%
53.6%
Backlund
Bjugstad
Head-to-Head Record
18
-
21
(39 meetings)
18
21
Backlund
Bjugstad
Last 10: Backlund 8-2 Bjugstad
Zone Breakdown
Offensive Zone
Edge: Backlund
8
6
Backlund
Bjugstad
14 total
Defensive Zone
Edge: Bjugstad
4
5
Backlund
Bjugstad
9 total
Neutral Zone
Edge: Bjugstad
6
10
Backlund
Bjugstad
16 total
Situation Matchup
Situation
Backlund
Bjugstad
Edge
Even Strength
49.7% (13,410)
48.6% (6,634)
+1.1%
Power Play
51.6% (1,336)
55.2% (829)
-3.6%
Penalty Kill
44.0% (2,446)
44.3% (614)
-0.3%
On power play, Bjugstad has a +3.6% edge.
Handedness & Splits
Handedness
Bjugstad shoots right. Backlund is 49.5% vs right-shot opponents (6,244).
Backlund shoots left. Bjugstad is 50.4% vs left-shot opponents (5,747).
Home / Away
Backlund
Bjugstad
Home
49.7% (8,565)
49.8% (4,020)
Away
48.3% (8,632)
48.1% (4,057)
By Period
Backlund
Bjugstad
P1
48.5%
49.0%
P2
50.3%
49.1%
P3
48.4%
48.4%
OT
44.1%
61.3%
Final 5 min
48.3%
47.3%
Recent Form
Player
Last 50
Last 200
Career
Backlund
52.0%▲
48.0%
49.0%
Bjugstad
40.0%▼
48.0%
48.9%
Recent Faceoffs
| Date | Period | Time | Zone | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 12, 2026 | 2 | 19:48 | Offensive | Mikael Backlund |
| Nov 11, 2025 | 1 | 04:23 | Defensive | Mikael Backlund |
| Jan 2, 2025 | 1 | 16:17 | Defensive | Mikael Backlund |
| Oct 30, 2024 | 2 | 04:56 | Defensive | Mikael Backlund |
| Oct 30, 2024 | 1 | 00:14 | Offensive | Mikael Backlund |
| Jan 16, 2024 | OT | 00:00 | Neutral | Mikael Backlund |
| Jan 16, 2024 | 3 | 11:10 | Offensive | Mikael Backlund |
| Jan 16, 2024 | 3 | 04:23 | Offensive | Nick Bjugstad |
| Jan 16, 2024 | 3 | 02:17 | Offensive | Nick Bjugstad |
| Jan 16, 2024 | 3 | 00:12 | Offensive | Mikael Backlund |
| Jan 16, 2024 | 2 | 15:01 | Neutral | Mikael Backlund |
| Jan 16, 2024 | 2 | 14:46 | Defensive | Nick Bjugstad |
| Jan 16, 2024 | 2 | 11:53 | Defensive | Nick Bjugstad |
| Jan 16, 2024 | 2 | 09:01 | Neutral | Mikael Backlund |
| Jan 16, 2024 | 2 | 01:03 | Defensive | Mikael Backlund |
| Jan 16, 2024 | 1 | 09:00 | Offensive | Nick Bjugstad |
| Jan 11, 2024 | 2 | 12:04 | Offensive | Mikael Backlund |
| Jan 11, 2024 | 2 | 00:15 | Offensive | Mikael Backlund |
| Jan 11, 2024 | 1 | 13:58 | Neutral | Mikael Backlund |
| Jan 11, 2024 | 1 | 07:56 | Neutral | Mikael Backlund |