Scouting Report
Mikael Backlund holds a +1.2% FO% edge overall. Look for Kakko on offensive-zone draws (100% H2H, 7 meetings).
Prediction Breakdown
Model
XGBoost ML Model
Overall FO% (Bayesian)
Kakko 48.6% vs Backlund 49.0% (-1.2%)
H2H factor
Not applied (7 meetings, need 10+)
Offensive zone
Kakko 75.0%
Defensive zone
Backlund 86.0%
Neutral zone
Backlund 62.4%
Result
Kaapo Kakko favored at 75.0%
75.0%
25.0%
Kakko
Backlund
Head-to-Head Record
7
-
0
(7 meetings)
7
0
Kakko
Backlund
Last 7: Kakko 7-0 Backlund
Zone Breakdown
Offensive Zone
Edge: Kakko
7
0
Kakko
Backlund
7 total
Situation Matchup
Situation
Kakko
Backlund
Edge
Even Strength
45.5% (143)
49.7% (13,463)
-4.2%
Power Play
60.6% (33)
51.5% (1,338)
+9.1%
Penalty Kill
0.0% (2)
43.9% (2,465)
-43.9%
On penalty kill, Backlund has a +43.9% edge.
Handedness & Splits
Handedness
Backlund shoots left. Kakko is 48.8% vs left-shot opponents (123).
Kakko shoots left. Backlund is 48.8% vs left-shot opponents (11,020).
Home / Away
Kakko
Backlund
Home
53.5% (71)
49.7% (8,621)
Away
43.9% (107)
48.3% (8,650)
By Period
Kakko
Backlund
P1
46.9%
48.5%
P2
51.9%
50.3%
P3
44.3%
48.4%
OT
100.0%
45.1%
Final 5 min
48.5%
48.4%
Recent Form
Player
Last 50
Last 200
Career
Kakko
52.0%▲
47.8%
47.8%
Backlund
50.0%▬
50.0%
49.0%
Recent Faceoffs
| Date | Period | Time | Zone | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 5, 2026 | 3 | 14:20 | Offensive | Kaapo Kakko |
| Jan 5, 2026 | 3 | 11:37 | Offensive | Kaapo Kakko |
| Feb 8, 2025 | OT | 01:41 | Offensive | Kaapo Kakko |
| Nov 21, 2024 | 3 | 02:28 | Offensive | Kaapo Kakko |
| Nov 21, 2024 | 3 | 02:19 | Offensive | Kaapo Kakko |
| Nov 21, 2024 | 3 | 02:11 | Offensive | Kaapo Kakko |
| Nov 21, 2024 | 3 | 02:05 | Offensive | Kaapo Kakko |