Forward Mikael Backlund is expected to play after sustaining an injury in a 6-3 win against the Colorado Avalanche on Tuesday. Backlund did not return to the game after blocking a shot by Matt Duchene on a penalty kill late in the second period and missed practice Wednesday. "It feels better today," Backlund said. "I felt pretty good yesterday too. It feels good. I was relieved the X-ray was negative." Backlund has four goals and seven points in his past four games, including back-to-back three-point games for the first time in the NHL. "It's nice that he's going and he's consistent every day," goaltender Chad Johnson said. "He's a two-way player who can do it all. It's nice that he's getting rewarded and getting goals and getting points. We need him in the lineup." The Flames will be without forward Troy Brouwer, who is week to week after breaking a finger against the Vancouver Canucks on Dec. 23. "Guys step up and fill roles and bring different attributes," Johnson said. "Whoever is in the lineup is going to have to do what they do and try not to be Troy Brouwer, because he's hard to replace." Johnson is expected to start against the Ducks in what coach Glen Gulutzan called an important divisional game. "The time of year, how close we are together in the standings, what's happened previous, all those things come into play," he said. "That's why I think fans are going to see a real good hockey game tonight."
