Who wins more faceoffs, Nathan MacKinnon or Nicklas Backstrom?

Nicklas Backstrom leads the head-to-head 8-1 across 9 faceoffs.

What is Nathan MacKinnon's faceoff record against Nicklas Backstrom?

Nathan MacKinnon is 1-8 against Nicklas Backstrom in head-to-head faceoffs. Zone breakdown: Offensive 0-2, Defensive 0-3, Neutral 1-3.

Who is predicted to win the next faceoff, Nathan MacKinnon or Nicklas Backstrom?

Nathan MacKinnon is the predicted winner with a 72.9% win probability based on historical stats and XGBoost ML analysis.

Nathan MacKinnon vs Nicklas Backstrom

Nathan MacKinnonR vs Nicklas BackstromL

2018-19 · 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 Backstrom on defensive-zone draws (100% H2H, 3 meetings). MacKinnon wins 42.2% vs left-shot opponents — Backstrom shoots left.

Prediction Breakdown

Model XGBoost ML Model

Overall FO% (Bayesian) MacKinnon 44.2% vs Backstrom 48.7% (-4.9%)

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

Offensive zone MacKinnon 74.2%

Defensive zone MacKinnon 73.4%

Neutral zone MacKinnon 71.9%

Result Nathan MacKinnon favored at 72.9%

72.9%

27.1%

MacKinnon Backstrom

Head-to-Head Record

1 - 8 (9 meetings)

MacKinnon Backstrom

Last 9: MacKinnon 1-8 Backstrom

Zone Breakdown

Offensive Zone

Edge: Backstrom

MacKinnon Backstrom

2 total

Defensive Zone

Edge: Backstrom

MacKinnon Backstrom

3 total

Neutral Zone

Edge: Backstrom

MacKinnon Backstrom

4 total

Situation Matchup

Situation

MacKinnon

Backstrom

Edge

Even Strength

42.8% (1,039)

48.5% (1,151)

-5.7%

Power Play

50.8% (118)

50.0% (176)

+0.8%

Penalty Kill

46.2% (26)

48.2% (112)

-2.0%

On even strength, Backstrom has a +5.7% edge.

Handedness & Splits

Handedness

Backstrom shoots left. MacKinnon is 42.2% vs left-shot opponents (889).

MacKinnon shoots right. Backstrom is 45.5% vs right-shot opponents (550).

Home / Away

MacKinnon

Backstrom

Home

48.0% (586)

50.8% (783)

Away

39.5% (597)

46.0% (656)

By Period

MacKinnon

Backstrom

46.1%

49.3%

41.5%

46.6%

43.8%

50.1%

33.3%

42.9%

Final 5 min

47.1%

51.0%

Recent Form

Player

Last 50

Last 200

Career

MacKinnon

48.0%▼

54.0%

43.7%

Backstrom

50.0%▲

48.5%

48.6%

Recent Faceoffs

Date	Period	Time	Zone	Winner
Feb 7, 2019	2	00:00	Neutral	Nicklas Backstrom
Feb 7, 2019	1	19:41	Offensive	Nicklas Backstrom
Feb 7, 2019	1	01:10	Defensive	Nicklas Backstrom
Nov 16, 2018	3	17:16	Neutral	Nicklas Backstrom
Nov 16, 2018	3	13:15	Neutral	Nathan MacKinnon
Nov 16, 2018	3	11:24	Neutral	Nicklas Backstrom
Nov 16, 2018	2	19:10	Offensive	Nicklas Backstrom
Nov 16, 2018	2	14:36	Defensive	Nicklas Backstrom
Nov 16, 2018	2	14:30	Defensive	Nicklas Backstrom

MacKinnon's Profile | Backstrom's Profile