The Calgary Flames are all but mathematically eliminated but center Mikael Backlund insists his team won't be tanking. "It's an entertaining thing we do, so we want to try and entertain people," said Backlund, who scored twice and matched a career-high with three points Wednesday night when the Flames slaughtered the slumping Anaheim Ducks 7-2. "We're going to play like it's the playoffs all the way through here and not sit back, not think about the draft."

Mikael Backlund had two goals and an assist in Calgary's 7-2 win over Anaheim Wednesday night. Backlund scored his fourth shorthanded goal this season, which is most in the NHL this season. He now has 16 goals with 17 assists in 65 games this season. Defenseman Mark Giordano also had s strong night with a goal and an assist, while Ladislav Smid, TJ Galiardi, Mike Cammalleri and Corban Knight also tallied for the Flames. TJ Brodie, Lance Bouma and Paul Byron all had two assists in the victory.

Mikael Backlund was held off the scoresheet on Saturday for only the second time in his last seven games. Backlund was buzzing around the net as he led the Flames with eight shots on goal. He has 14 goals and 29 points in 57 games but has been red hot of late as he has five goals and nine points in his last seven contests.

Mikael Backlund wasn't named as Sweden's injury replacement for the 2014 Winter Games. With the Olympics fast approaching, Henrik Sedin was unfortunately ruled out of the games. There was some speculation that Backlund would take his roster spot, but that didn't come to pass. Backlund has taken a nice step forward this season with 14 goals and 29 points in 56 games.

Mikael Backlund continued his torrid stretch Thursday as he potted a goal and an assist in a 4-2 win over the Islanders. A sleeper on many lists entering the season, the Calgary forward was invisible for the first 50 games until he exploded with 10 points in his last six outings. Dennis Wideman, Sean Monahan and David Jones all tallied for the Flames in the victory.

According to reports out of Sweden, Mikael Backlund will replace Henrik Sedin on the Swedish Men's Hockey team. Sedin is hurting and he won't play in Vancouver's last two games before the Olympic break. Backlund has been red hot of late with five goals and three assists in his past five games.

Mikael Backlund has been named the NHL's third star of the week. He registered six points, including four goals, in three games last week to earn the honor. Backlund has picked up two points in each of his last four contests to give him 27 points on the year.

Mikael Backlund scored twice -- including the overtime winner -- in the Flames' 4-3 victory against the Wild on Saturday night. Backlund had quite the game, scoring once shorthanded in the third period and again 2:25 into the extra frame. He now has points in four straight games, with five goals over that span. Altogether, he has 13 goals and 27 points. T.J. Galiardi had a goal and an assist, while Dennis Wideman scored the other. Mark Giordano and Chris Butler registered two assists apiece.

Center Mikael Backlund of the Calgary Flames is turning into a first-rate fantasy player. The skilled Swede has put together three straight multi-point efforts and has helped the previously woeful Flames rattle off four consecutive victories. Backlund has now matched his career-high with 25 points, and there are still 28 dates remaining on Calgary's regular-season schedule. "The biggest change in him is understanding how to use his skill to create offense. Having skill and creating offence is not really the same thing," said Darryl Belfry, who has been working with Backlund as a personal development coach.

Mikael Backlund scored two goals in Calgary's 5-4 overtime win against Chicago Tuesday night. Backlund now has 11 goals and 12 assists in 52 games this season. Matt Stajan also had a strong game with a goal and an assist, while Lee Stempniak assisted three goals in the victory. Defenseman T.J Brodie and Lance Bouma also scored for the Flames.