Backlund helped out on both of Sam Bennett's goals and went plus-3 in Thursday's 4-2 win over Columbus.

EDGE Analysis

That's six helpers in the last four games for Backlund, and Bennett's scored five of those goals. You can hardly ask for better chemistry than that, and it's meant a huge spike in ice time for Backlund recently -- he's averaging more than 18 minutes per game (including 18:40 on Thursday) over his last five, numbers more in line with the past two campaigns than the first three months of this one.

Backlund assisted on a pair of goals in Monday's loss to the Sharks.

EDGE Analysis

Both helpers came on the power play, as Backlund continues to see some time on the man advantage. The center has just 18 points through 41 points on the season though, so he's only worth a look in deeper leagues.

Backlund netted his fourth goal of the season, had an assist and fired five shots on goal in Tuesday's win over the Sharks.

EDGE Analysis

That's the second goal in three games for the streaky Backlund, who had previously gone 10 straight games without finding twine. He's worth riding on hot streaks in deeper formats, but with just 11 points on the year, combined with the fact he doesn't play on the power play and is averaging under 15:00 of ice time, we can't recommend using him in shallow formats.

Backlund registered an assist in Tuesday's 5-3 loss to Anaheim.

EDGE Analysis

The point snapped a four-game scoreless streak for Backlund, who had started November on fire. Backlund is a really streaky fantasy player, which makes him fairly unreliable on a day to day basis. He does have seven points in 10 November games, however, and is on pace for about 30 points this season.

Backlund dished out a trio of assists in Saturday's win over Pittsburgh.

EDGE Analysis

Backlund has now put up back-to-back multi-point games after getting off to a slow start this season. He doesn't shoot much, but the streaky second-line center can be decent source of point production as long as he stays healthy.

Backlund scored Calgary's lone goal Friday in a loss to the Jets.

EDGE Analysis

This is Backlund's first goal, and first point, in four games this season. His playing time also has been somewhat down so far, although it is still early, so that could still shake out differently.

Backlund (undisclosed) returned to practice on Monday, Roger Millions of Sportsnet reports.

EDGE Analysis

Backlund's ailment was never believed to be too serious, but it's a positive sign that he was able to return to practice on Monday, especially when considering he was forced to miss 30 games due to injury last season. Backlund is expected to return to a top-six role with the Flames in 2015-16.

Backlund has missed the last few days of Flames practice with an undisclosed injury, Wes Gilbertson of the Calgary Sun reports.

EDGE Analysis

The severity of the injury isn't clear, but it's a bit concerning for Backlund's owners, as the 26-year-old center was forced to miss 30 games due to injury in 2014-15. The team should provide an update on his status in the coming days.

Backlund signed a three-year, $10.73 million contract extension with the Flames on Saturday, TSN's Darren Dreger reports. Flames fans can now rest assured knowing that Backlund will remain a major part of their young and talented core for the foreseeable future. Despite missing 30 games due to injury in 2014-15, Backlund was productive for Calgary this season, notching 10 goals and 17 assists for a total of 27 points in 52 games for the Flames. He'll likely return to his role as the team's second line center next season.

Backlund scored his first career playoff goal Tuesday, beating the Ducks' Frederik Andersen 4:24 into overtime to deliver a Game 3 victory. Finally in the NHL playoffs after five fruitless campaigns with Calgary, Backlund hadn't made much of a postseason impact until Tuesday, as he'd tallied just a single assist over the Flames' first eight playoff games. But this was a huge goal, as it cut the Ducks' series lead to 2-1, with Friday's Game 4 in Calgary looming large.