Scouting Report
Sean Kuraly holds a +1.3% FO% edge overall. Look for Kuraly on defensive-zone draws (80% H2H, 10 meetings).
Prediction Breakdown
Model
XGBoost ML Model
Overall FO% (Bayesian)
Backlund 49.0% vs Kuraly 50.3% (-1.3%)
H2H factor
Kuraly leads 14-10 in 24 meetings
Offensive zone
Backlund 74.8%
Defensive zone
Kuraly 63.3%
Neutral zone
Backlund 55.3%
Result
Mikael Backlund favored at 53.2%
53.2%
46.8%
Backlund
Kuraly
Head-to-Head Record
10
-
14
(24 meetings)
10
14
Backlund
Kuraly
Last 10: Backlund 5-5 Kuraly
Zone Breakdown
Offensive Zone
Edge: Kuraly
3
4
Backlund
Kuraly
7 total
Defensive Zone
Edge: Kuraly
2
8
Backlund
Kuraly
10 total
Neutral Zone
Edge: Backlund
5
2
Backlund
Kuraly
7 total
Situation Matchup
Situation
Backlund
Kuraly
Edge
Even Strength
49.7% (13,410)
51.5% (5,141)
-1.8%
Power Play
51.6% (1,336)
56.0% (100)
-4.4%
Penalty Kill
44.0% (2,446)
44.2% (1,086)
-0.2%
On power play, Kuraly has a +4.4% edge.
Handedness & Splits
Handedness
Kuraly shoots left. Backlund is 48.8% vs left-shot opponents (10,953).
Backlund shoots left. Kuraly is 52.8% vs left-shot opponents (4,102).
Home / Away
Backlund
Kuraly
Home
49.7% (8,565)
51.9% (3,187)
Away
48.3% (8,632)
48.7% (3,141)
By Period
Backlund
Kuraly
P1
48.5%
51.1%
P2
50.3%
49.9%
P3
48.4%
50.0%
OT
44.1%
52.3%
Final 5 min
48.3%
49.0%
Recent Form
Player
Last 50
Last 200
Career
Backlund
52.0%▲
48.0%
49.0%
Kuraly
64.0%▲
57.0%
50.3%
Recent Faceoffs
| Date | Period | Time | Zone | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 8, 2026 | 1 | 09:48 | Neutral | Mikael Backlund |
| Nov 29, 2024 | 3 | 08:54 | Offensive | Mikael Backlund |
| Jan 25, 2024 | 3 | 04:18 | Defensive | Sean Kuraly |
| Jan 25, 2024 | 2 | 00:59 | Offensive | Sean Kuraly |
| Jan 25, 2024 | 2 | 00:42 | Offensive | Sean Kuraly |
| Oct 20, 2023 | 3 | 16:25 | Defensive | Sean Kuraly |
| Oct 20, 2023 | 1 | 17:08 | Defensive | Mikael Backlund |
| Jan 23, 2023 | OT | 01:13 | Offensive | Mikael Backlund |
| Jan 23, 2023 | OT | 00:00 | Neutral | Mikael Backlund |
| Jan 23, 2023 | 3 | 18:36 | Defensive | Sean Kuraly |
| Jan 23, 2023 | 3 | 04:46 | Defensive | Sean Kuraly |
| Jan 23, 2023 | 2 | 01:32 | Neutral | Sean Kuraly |
| Jan 23, 2023 | 1 | 01:22 | Defensive | Mikael Backlund |
| Dec 9, 2022 | 3 | 16:44 | Neutral | Mikael Backlund |
| Dec 9, 2022 | 2 | 19:48 | Defensive | Sean Kuraly |
| Feb 15, 2022 | 2 | 17:56 | Defensive | Sean Kuraly |
| Feb 15, 2022 | 2 | 07:44 | Defensive | Sean Kuraly |
| Feb 15, 2022 | 1 | 19:29 | Offensive | Mikael Backlund |
| Feb 15, 2022 | 1 | 16:30 | Neutral | Mikael Backlund |
| Feb 15, 2022 | 1 | 00:07 | Neutral | Mikael Backlund |