Backlund recorded an assist and two shots on goal in Tuesday's 3-1 win over the Blackhawks.

EDGE Analysis

Backlund set up Matthew Coronato's empty-netter to secure the Flames' fourth straight win. The 35-year-old Backlund has a goal, an assist, seven shots on net, four hits, four PIM and a plus-2 rating over four contests this season. He's playing big minutes despite essentially serving as a shutdown center on the Flames' nominal third line, though his offense is likely a little too limited to make him a fantasy option at this point in the season.

Backlund scored a goal on four shots and added two PIM in Saturday's 6-3 win over the Flyers.

EDGE Analysis

Backlund's tally at 14:46 of the third period ended up being the game-winner. The center has added four shots on net and four PIM through two contests this season. Backlund often players a larger role than his middle-six assignment would suggest, as he's a part of the second power-play unit and sees regular penalty-killing time. He's a reliable depth center who can contribute around 40 points and decent shot volume.

Backlund scored a goal on three shots in Friday's 3-2 preseason loss to the Jets.

EDGE Analysis

Backlund also won 10 of 11 faceoffs as the Flames dominated at the dot. The 35-year-old has a goal and three helpers over four preseason outings. The captain was limited to 39 points in 82 contests in 2023-24, and he's unlikely to do much better than that while filling a middle-six role on a rebuilding team this year.

Backlund posted an assist in Sunday's 6-5 win over the Coyotes.

EDGE Analysis

Backlund snapped an 11-game point drought when he helped out on a Yegor Sharangovich tally in the second period. It's unusual for Backlund to struggle at this time of the year -- he's typically a second-half player, but he did most of his scoring in the first half of 2023-24. The center is at 39 points, 205 shots on net, 68 hits, 33 blocked shots and a minus-4 rating through 80 appearances, with just 14 of those points coming since the All-Star break.

Backlund (undisclosed) is expected to be in the lineup Saturday versus the Oilers, Pat Steinberg of Sportsnet 960 The Fan reports.

EDGE Analysis

Backlund was listed as a game-time decision earlier Saturday, but it appears he's good to go without missing a game. The 35-year-old will hold down his usual top-six role with wingers Blake Coleman and Yegor Sharangovich. Backlund has no points over his last seven games.

Per Pat Steinberg of Sportsnet 960 The Fan, Backlund (undisclosed) will be a game-time decision versus Edmonton on Saturday, though coach Ryan Huska said, "my gut is he'll play."

EDGE Analysis

Backlund has regressed from his career-high 56 points last season, recording 15 goals and 38 points in 75 contests this year. He is mired in a seven-game point drought. Backlund is expected to center Blake Coleman and Matthew Coronato, if he is able to play.

Backlund logged an assist and two shots on goal in Monday's 5-2 loss to the Capitals.

EDGE Analysis

Backlund is up to eight points over nine games in March. He set up a MacKenzie Weegar tally in the third period of Monday's defeat. Backlund is up to 38 points, 187 shots on net, 63 hits and a plus-6 rating through 68 outings this season. He's essentially functioned as a top-six option all year, though he was often listed on the third line before the Flames' roster was thinned out by trades.

Atkinson scored two goals and an assist in Saturday's 5-2 victory over the Canadiens.

EDGE Analysis

Backlund started the game by potting back-to-back goals, his 14th and 15th on the season, to give the Flames the early lead. He added an assist on the fifth and final goal while also adding three shots, one hit and a plus-3 rating in 18:06 of ice time. Despite the strong last two games -- he provided an assist Thursday -- Backlund has been scoreless in four of his last seven games. When not lighting up the scoresheet, Backlund provides decent peripherals, as he has 185 shots on goal and 62 hits for the year.

Backlund posted an assist, five shots on goal and a plus-2 rating in Thursday's 4-1 win over the Golden Knights.

EDGE Analysis

Backlund snapped a three-game point drought by setting up Blake Coleman's empty-net tally to seal the win. It's been seven contests since Backlund scored a goal, though he's been alright with four assists and 17 shots on net in that span. The veteran center is up to 34 points, 182 shots, 61 hits and a plus-5 rating through 66 appearances in a middle-six role.

Backlund notched an assist, two shots on goal and three hits in Thursday's 6-3 win over the Lightning.

EDGE Analysis

Backlund reached the 20-assist mark for the year when he set up an Andrew Mangiapane empty-netter in the third period. Over the last seven games, Backlund has a goal and five assists. The 34-year-old center is up to 33 points, 170 shots on net, 56 hits and a plus-9 rating through 62 appearances. He should continue to be a leader among the Flames' forwards in ice time, as he's deployed in all situations.