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The Flames’ best goals of 2025-26: Mikael Backlund picks the puck, scores a shorthanded beauty

Photo credit: Griffin Hooper-Imagn Images

By Ryley Delaney

Jul 28, 2026, 12:00 EDTUpdated: Jul 27, 2026, 22:42 EDT

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Despite being on the wrong side of 30, Mikael Backlund continues to be a productive player.

Last season, the Flames’ captain played all 82 games, scoring 17 goals and 43 points. Statistically, it was his best season since he scored 19 goals and 56 points in 82 games back in 2022-23. It’s also the seventh time he’s reached the 40-point mark.

Two of his goals land on our end-of-season top goals list. The second of the two ranks as our fourth-best goal.

By mid-January, the Flames were already well out of the playoff race. Entering their Jan. 15 game against the Chicago Blackhawks, development of young players was the goal for the final few months of the season.

But it wasn’t a young player who scored the game winning goal. Six minutes into the first in a 1-1 game, the Blackhawks were trying to gain the zone. However, Backlund knocked the puck off the stick, leading to a breakaway.

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🔥FLAMES GOAL🔥 Mikael Backlund scores a short handed beauty! He is playing some of the best hockey of his career. 🎥: Sportsnet | #Flames

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1:51 AM · Jan 16, 2026

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Getting to the hashmarks with about 10 feet separating him and the trailing defender, Backlund faked a shot, getting the Blackhawks netminder to bite. At the same time, the captain made a quick move to his left and roofed it for his 12th goal of the season, and his second point of the night.

With 61 seconds left in the game, Matt Coronato iced the game with an empty-netter, his 13th of the season. It was the first of two consecutive wins, before the Flames went on a 2-7-1 skid that ultimately sunk their season.

Even at the age of 37 years old, Backlund finished the season tied for second in points and fifth in goals. It was a tough season, and the next few seasons will be tough, but having a veteran presence like Backlund for these next few years will help develop their next core.

Ryley Delaney is a Nation Network writer for FlamesNation, Oilersnation, and Blue Jays Nation. She can be followed on Twitter @Ryley__Delaney.

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