Jesperi Kotkaniemi vs Mikael Backlund

2025-26 · Faceoff Head-to-Head
Scouting Report

Mikael Backlund holds a +1.9% FO% edge overall. Kotkaniemi wins 45.7% vs left-shot opponents — Backlund shoots left.

Prediction Breakdown
Model XGBoost ML Model
Overall FO% (Bayesian) Kotkaniemi 48.6% vs Backlund 49.8% (-1.9%)
Offensive zone Kotkaniemi 83.1%
Defensive zone Backlund 79.0%
Neutral zone Backlund 56.9%
Result Mikael Backlund favored at 50.9%
49.1%
50.9%
Kotkaniemi Backlund
No head-to-head faceoffs recorded

Situation Matchup

Situation
Kotkaniemi
Backlund
Edge
Even Strength
47.3% (207)
50.5% (944)
-3.2%
Power Play
100.0% (3)
51.5% (66)
+48.5%
Penalty Kill
33.3% (3)
47.1% (297)
-13.8%
On power play, Kotkaniemi has a +48.5% edge.

Handedness & Splits

Handedness
Backlund shoots left. Kotkaniemi is 45.7% vs left-shot opponents (116).
Kotkaniemi shoots left. Backlund is 49.9% vs left-shot opponents (938).
Home / Away
Kotkaniemi
Backlund
Home
46.5% (129)
48.1% (636)
Away
50.0% (84)
51.4% (671)
By Period
Kotkaniemi
Backlund
P1
51.3%
45.4%
P2
46.1%
54.1%
P3
45.9%
49.2%
Final 5 min
48.2%
48.5%

Recent Form

Player
Last 50
Last 200
Career
Kotkaniemi
52.0%
49.0%
47.9%
Backlund
50.0%
50.0%
49.8%