Backlund registered an assist, four shots on goal, two hits and two PIM in Monday's 6-5 loss to the Avalanche.

EDGE Analysis

Backlund set up Blake Coleman's second-period tally, which put the Flames ahead 3-2. The helper ended a brief two-game dry spell for Backlund, his longest drought since another two-game one from Nov. 11-14. The 34-year-old center is not explosive on offense, but he's been relatively consistent. He's at 14 points, 68 shots on net, 20 hits and a plus-3 rating over 28 appearances this season in a middle-six role.

Backlund scored a goal in Tuesday's 5-2 loss to the Wild.

EDGE Analysis

Backlund got a piece of a MacKenzie Weegar shot and redirected it past Filip Gustavsson for the Flames' first goal. With four goals and an assist over the last six games, Backlund has been steady from his third-line role lately. He's up to 13 points, 61 shots on net, 16 hits, 11 blocked shots and a plus-5 rating through 25 outings overall. That's pretty close to his usual season-long pace, and he typically gets better as the campaign progresses.

Backlund scored a power-play goal in Saturday's 4-3 loss to the Canucks.

EDGE Analysis

Backlund got the Flames on the board at 12:18 of the first period with his third goal in the last five games. The center has earned nine points of his 12 points this season over his last 15 contests. He's added 60 shots on net and a plus-5 rating through 24 appearances overall. The 34-year-old is known for his second-half surges, but playing with a more talented winger in Jonathan Huberdeau over the last couple of weeks appears to have sparked Backlund's offense early this season.

Backlund notched an assist and three shots on goal in Thursday's 4-3 overtime win over the Stars.

EDGE Analysis

Backlund helped out on a Noah Hanifin tally in the first period. In the third, Backlund nearly had his third goal in four games, but it was overturned for a missed hand pass earlier in the play. The center wrapped up November with eight points over 14 games, giving him four goals, seven assists, 59 shots on net and a plus-5 rating through 23 contests overall.

Backlund scored a goal on two shots and added two hits in Saturday's 3-1 loss to the Avalanche.

EDGE Analysis

The Flames' breakthrough came at 12:03 of the second period, as chaos in front of the net allowed Jonathan Huberdeau to set up Backlund for the tally. That's goals in back-to-back outings for Backlund. He's up to four markers, 10 points, 53 shots on net, 15 hits and a plus-6 rating through 21 appearances. While he's listed on the third line, Backlund effectively remains a top-six forward given his usage in all situations.

Backlund scored a goal and added two PIM in Friday's 7-4 win over the Stars.

EDGE Analysis

Backlund snapped an eight-game goal drought with his third-period insurance tally. During that span, the center had a modest three assists with 20 shots on net. He's a notorious slow starter, but Backlund is up to nine points, 51 shots on net, 13 hits, six PIM and a plus-5 rating through 20 contests this season. That's right on track with how he started 2022-23, which saw him end with a career-best 56 points.

Backlund picked up an assist, two shots on goal and two blocked shots in Monday's 4-3 overtime win over the Kraken.

EDGE Analysis

Backlund set up Rasmus Andersson for a wraparound in overtime, and Andersson cashed in on a rebound. That gave Backlund his 500th career point, an achievement he completed in his 926th contest. The center has been limited to three helpers over his last seven contests. He's at eight points, 50 shots on net, 13 hits, nine blocked shots and a plus-3 rating through 18 outings overall. Backlund may benefit from having playmaking winger Jonathan Huberdeau on his line.

Backlund recorded an assist and four shots on goal in Thursday's 5-2 win over the Canucks.

EDGE Analysis

Backlund has two helpers over his last four contests. He set up Jonathan Huberdeau's third-period tally -- those two were on a line with Blake Coleman in an effort to give the Flames some veteran consistency. Backlund has held his own early this season with seven points, 44 shots on net, 12 hits, seven blocked shots and a plus-4 rating over 16 appearances.

Backlund logged an assist and two shots on goal in Friday's 5-4 shootout loss to the Maple Leafs.

EDGE Analysis

Backlund set up Martin Pospisil on the Flames' game-tying goal in the third period. The 34-year-old Backlund has three points over his last three outings, giving him two goals and four assists through 13 contests this season. He's added 38 shots on net, nine hits, seven blocked shots and a plus-2 rating while skating on the third line with playing time in all situations.

Backlund scored two goals on four shots and went plus-3 in Saturday's 6-3 win over the Kraken.

EDGE Analysis

Backlund converted at 4:00 of the third period after Philipp Grubauer failed to freeze the puck following an A.J. Greer breakaway. Later in the frame, Backlund's banked clearance off the boards found the empty net. The pair of goals ended his three-game point drought. The 34-year-old center is at five points, 30 shots on net, a plus-2 rating, four PIM, seven hits and five blocked shots through 11 outings in his usual middle-six role. Backlund is no stranger to slow starts to seasons, so fantasy managers rostering him in the first half of the year will need to pack patience.