Backlund (illness) will return to the lineup Wednesday against the Sharks, Roger Millions of Sportsnet reports. The illness forced Backlund out of Monday's win over the Jets, but that will be the extent of the center's absence. He was back on the ice for Wednesday's morning skate and participated in a full capacity, taking part in line rushes with a second trio that included Lance Bouma and David Jones.

Backlund is not on the ice for Monday's pregame warmups and is not expected to play against the Jets, Wes Gilbertson of the Calgary Sun reports. Backlund is currently dealing with an illness and this will be the first game that he's forced off the ice because of the ailment. His next opportunity play will come against the Sharks on Wednesday.

Backlund did not practice Monday morning and is a game-time decision against the Jets. Backlund's illness comes at an inopportune time, as the forward is coming off a hot month of January in which he collected five goals and five assists in 10 games. The ailment doesn't appear to be overly serious, as he's still a game-time decision, but owners should check for an update on his status prior to the opening faceoff.

Backlund had two assists as Calgary defeated Edmonton 4-2 on Saturday. Backlund ends January as hot as he stated it. He finishes the month with five goals and five assists in 10 games and may now be hitting his stride that could take him through the rest of the season.

Backlund lit the lamp Wednesday for the sixth time this season, but Calgary lost 6-3 to Anaheim. Backlund is having a ridiculous January, with five goals and three assists in seven games. Keep rolling him while he's hot.

Backlund snapped his four-game goal streak but added an assist in a 4-3 overtime victory against the Sharks on Saturday. Backlund has been a new player since returning from an abdominal injury, with seven points in five games. While he never has been a scoring dynamo, he is currently worth playing as he is red-hot.

Backlund pushed his goal streak to four games with a second-period tally in Thursday's win over the Coyotes. Backlund produced only one goal in his 11 games prior to missing over two months with an abdominal tear, but has ignited the Flames since returning from injured reserve Jan. 7. The center is worth a look in most formats while he continues to sizzle.

Backlund scored the game-winning goal on the first shot of the game Saturday against Vancouver. Backlund has now scored in three straight games since returning from an abdominal injury, recording five points and 11 shots on goal in that span. Currently centering the second line and playing on the first power-play unit, Backlund is a great sleeper pick for the second half of the season. The 25-year-old, who notched 18 goals and 39 points last season, will need to show some more consistency before we can recommend him in most formats. His inconsistency has been a big reason why fantasy owners have refrained from adding him in the past.

Backlund supplied a goal and assist in Friday's 6-5 loss to the Panthers. That's back-to-back two-point efforts for Backlund in his first two games back from a lengthy absence following abdominal surgery. He's fired off seven shots during that span while seeing ample time on the Flames' top power-play unit, which might be significant enough to warrant a waiver-wire pickup.

Backlund (abdominal surgery) returned to the lineup with a bang Wednesday, potting a shorthanded goal, adding an assist and firing four shots on goal in a 3-2 loss to the Red Wings. What a return for the 25-year-old Swede, who was playing in just his 12th game of the year after a lengthy stint on injured reserve. Through those 12 games, Backlund has collected two goals, four assists, a plus-1 rating, four PIM and 22 SOG.