"Hiding his feelings isn't one of Mikael Backlund's strong suits.

One of the most approachable and honest young NHLers, the 22-year-old Calgary Flames centre brings up one of his sore spots Friday night after the team's 3-1 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks.

"I've got to really improve on my plus-minus. It's awful. It's terrible," Backlund said outside the Flames locker-room.

"It's something I'm not proud of at all."

Despite the minus-13 rating, however, there are plenty of signs the Swede is developing into a responsible two-way centre.

He took a huge step in that regard Friday while matched up against one of the league's best at the position in Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews.

Although he struggled in the faceoff circle, winning five of his 14 draws (36%) — remember, Toews leads the NHL in win percentage — Backlund made strong plays in his own zone and worked the cycle in the opposing end along with linemates Lance Bouma and Blake Comeau.

"It's fun to get those challenges — you've got to really step up your game against guys like that. It's fun," Backlund said. "I felt good. Our line had some cycles here and there, but overall, it was a pretty tight game against that line."

Not so Ducky in Anaheim

The bad news: The Flames have lost 13 straight to the Ducks in Anaheim.

The good news: Not many members of the current Flames club have been around long enough to realize it."