Scouting Report
Mikael Backlund holds a +10.9% FO% edge overall. Look for Backlund on defensive-zone draws (100% H2H, 4 meetings). Zucker wins 36.3% vs left-shot opponents — Backlund shoots left.
Prediction Breakdown
Model
XGBoost ML Model
Overall FO% (Bayesian)
Zucker 44.0% vs Backlund 49.7% (-10.9%)
H2H factor
Not applied (5 meetings, need 10+)
Offensive zone
Zucker 92.7%
Defensive zone
Backlund 80.4%
Neutral zone
Zucker 71.5%
Result
Mikael Backlund favored at 65.8%
34.2%
65.8%
Zucker
Backlund
Head-to-Head Record
1
-
4
(5 meetings)
1
4
Zucker
Backlund
Last 5: Zucker 1-4 Backlund
Zone Breakdown
Offensive Zone
Edge: Zucker
1
0
Zucker
Backlund
1 total
Defensive Zone
Edge: Backlund
0
4
Zucker
Backlund
4 total
Situation Matchup
Situation
Zucker
Backlund
Edge
Even Strength
54.5% (33)
50.1% (930)
+4.4%
Power Play
32.5% (83)
51.5% (66)
-19.0%
On power play, Backlund has a +19.0% edge.
Handedness & Splits
Handedness
Backlund shoots left. Zucker is 36.3% vs left-shot opponents (80).
Zucker shoots left. Backlund is 49.8% vs left-shot opponents (926).
Home / Away
Zucker
Backlund
Home
47.0% (66)
48.1% (636)
Away
28.0% (50)
51.1% (653)
By Period
Zucker
Backlund
P1
50.0%
45.2%
P2
31.6%
54.2%
P3
28.6%
48.8%
Final 5 min
50.0%
48.5%
Recent Form
Player
Last 50
Last 200
Career
Zucker
48.0%▲
38.0%
38.8%
Backlund
46.0%▼
48.5%
49.7%
Recent Faceoffs
| Date | Period | Time | Zone | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 8, 2025 | 3 | 17:02 | Defensive | Mikael Backlund |
| Dec 8, 2025 | 2 | 03:45 | Defensive | Mikael Backlund |
| Dec 8, 2025 | 2 | 02:28 | Defensive | Mikael Backlund |
| Dec 8, 2025 | 1 | 10:40 | Offensive | Jason Zucker |
| Dec 8, 2025 | 1 | 01:26 | Defensive | Mikael Backlund |