Flames' Mikael Backlund: Pots empty-netter

Backlund scored an empty-net goal on four shots and went plus-2 in Wednesday's 5-1 win over the Blue Jackets.

Backlund snapped a five-game goal drought with the empty-netter. The 36-year-old center had also gone three contests without a point. The veteran is up to three goals, seven points, 35 shots on net, 11 hits and a minus-1 rating over 15 appearances. Backlund will continue to see middle-six minutes as a strong two-way forward for the Flames. However, his usage is more defensive-focused with the team pivoting to younger forwards in 2025-26.