VETERAN BACKLUND GETS BETTER WITH AGE
Solid two-way player emerges as teams’ top offensive threat
As surprising as it was for Mikael Backlund to cap off a stellar first half as the Flames’ leading scorer, no one in Calgary expects he’ll end the season that way.
Sure would be one heck of a bonus, though.
Logic suggests Johnny Gaudreau or Sean Monahan will eventually find their stride on a more regular basis and get back to doing what they’re paid so handsomely to do.
Ironically, Backlund’s dominance as centre of the team’s top line should make it easier for the two snipers to get back on track as the 3M Line is now starting to draw the opposition’s top checking units.
Yet, there was ol’ Backs breaking a 2-2 game wide open midway through Tuesday’s visit by Florida with a pair of goals in 13 seconds. Yes, 13 seconds. “That was probably a personal record for sure,” smiled Backlund of his latest eye-popper. “Actually I think I had two quick ones here in Calgary against the Hitmen in Game 5 of the playoffs (in 2009 as a member of the Kelowna Rockets). Two crappy goals then too, just in front of the net.”
The ever-humble veteran’s goals were anything but crappy. On the first, he deftly banged in a goalmouth rebound on the power play before converting a brilliant between-the-legs pass from Matthew Tkachuk from behind the net mere seconds later.
Add those to an assist on Mark Giordano’s game-tying tally earlier in the frame and Backlund compiled his fourth three-point outing of the season.
That’s eight goals and eight assists in his last 12 games for the 27-year-old Swede who continues to shock and awe Saddledome faithful.
So, at what point does the man with 14 goals and 32 points start aiming for a team scoring title?
“That’s not my goal,” the defensive-minded Backlund said, predictably, after snapping a sixgame goal scoring ‘slump.’
“My goal is to make the playoffs. I’ve seen too many early exits.”
Along the way, he’s racking up plenty of points and first-star accolades as one of the biggest breakthrough players of the NHL season.
“It’s nice to see Backs get recognition,” said captain Mark Giordano, who had a three-point night, himself, as part of a 5-2 win. “He’s one of the best twoway guys in the league.
“I know you guys don’t want to put him up there with some of the top guys, but he’s up there with those top guys, for sure.”
Aw shucks, essentially said Backlund, who will eventually have to get used to such compliments.
“It’s an honour to hear those words from him,” said Backlund. “Since Day 1, I’ve always looked up to him.”
The last time the Panthers came to town, Sam Bennett sprang to life with a four-goal effort.
Backlund would have had four points had the game’s second star, Roberto Luongo, not robbed Tkachuk of a third-period goal from in close.
Praised by coach Glen Gulutzan endlessly for always playing the game the right way, Backlund is always quick to give linemates Michael Frolik and Tkachuk lots of credit.
“He’s a great passer,” Backlund said of the 19-year-old Tkachuk, who had two assists, including his show-stopping setup from behind the net.
“I wasn’t expecting 21 apples by January. It’s been fun playing with him. He’s so solid along the boards.
“He said if I wasn’t calling for it he wasn’t going to make the pass. I still think it was a pretty impressive pass between the legs and off the boards.”
Giordano said he’s not surprised by Backlund’s offensive surge, pointing out he demonstrates well how solid defensive play can lead to offence.
“You can see he’s just feeling it,” said Giordano, who said it doesn’t matter who leads the team in points.
“We’re trying to get into the playoffs and however which way we can do that, we’ll take it, but I don’t think we worry about Johnny.
"I think you’ll see him go on a run here soon and pile up the points, for sure.”