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.

Calgary Flames coach Bob Hartley feels Mikael Backlund is the team's best player right now. Backlund is on a three-game goal scoring streak. He might be great for Calgary, but beyond his recent hot streak, he's not particularly good for fantasy owners in standard leagues. He has nine goals and 19 points in 46 games this season.

Mikael Backlund scored a goal for the Flames in Monday's 2-0 win over the Hurricanes. The power play marker is just the seventh of the season for Backlund, who has experienced a difficult campaign. Rookie Sean Monahan also found the back of the net in the win for Calgary.

Mikael Backlund sniped a goal for the Flames, who fell short in their 2-1 loss to the Penguins on Saturday night. The 24-year-old former first-round pick, playing his 214th career game, has not developed into an offensive player, as this goal is just his 29th of his career. Backlund's sixth goal of the season snapped a nine-game goalless skid, and he has 17 points. T.J. Brodie and Jiri Hudler registered the assists.

Mikael Backlund returned to action on Sunday December 29.

Mikael Backlund will probably be a game-time decision for Sunday's game against Vancouver. Coach Bob Hartley said Backlund missed practice on Saturday for maintenance purposes. He has five goals and 15 points in 37 games this season and he's a marginal fantasy player at best.