Backlund scores 2 as Flames beat Golden Knights 6-3

CALGARY, Alberta (AP) — Mikael Backlund scored two goals and the Calgary Flames beat the Vegas Golden Knights 6-3 on Saturday night.

Joel Farabee, Ryan Lomberg, Adam Klapka and Jonathan Huberdeau also scored as the Flames won for the seventh time in their last nine games at home (7-1-1). Connor Zary and MacKenzie Weegar each had three assists, and Devin Cooley stopped 33 shots.

Reilly Smith, Kaedan Korczak and Mark Stone scored for the Golden Knights in their first regulation loss in December after starting the month 5-0-2. Akira Schmid finished with 20 saves.

Stone batted Noah Hanifin's shot off the backboards off Cooley and in for a power-play goal with 3:57 remaining in the third period to pull Vegas to 5-3.

However, Huberdeau's empty-netter with 45 seconds remaining sealed the win.

Backlund collected a defensive-zone turnover and finished a rush with Blake Coleman and Zary by batting the puck over Schmid 3:54 into the game to give the Flames a 1-0 lead.

Kuznetsov’s shot from the point deflected off the foot of 6-foot-7 Klapka in front to double Calgary’s lead at 8:42.

Smith came off the bench and converted a breakaway at 10:03 to get the Golden Knights on the scoreboard.

Lomberg made it 3-1 with 4:15 to go in the opening period on a two-man breakaway with Zary. Lomberg, who scored his second goal in three games, then fought Jeremy Lauzon.

Backlund got his second of the game at 8:38 of the second, shoveling his own rebound by Schmid off a feed from Weegar, who earned his 200th career assist.

Farabee’s third short-handed goal this season pushed Calgary’s lead to 5-1 with 7:39 left in the middle period. It was the Flames' sixth short-handed goal, tying Anaheim and Los Angeles for most in the NHL.

Korczak pulled Vegas within three with a quick wrist shot from the faceoff circle that beat Cooley far side with 5:26 remaining in the second.

Vegas was missing forward Jack Eichel (illness) and defenseman Shea Theodore (upper body). Ivan Barbashev shifted to center between Mitch Marner and Braeden Bowman.

Golden Knights: Host San Jose on Tuesday.

Flames: At Edmonton on Tuesday.

AP NHL: https://www.apnews.com/nhl

Vegas Golden Knights goalie Akira Schmid, center, and Noah Hanifin (15) reach for the puck as Calgary Flames' Matt Coronato (27) looks on during second-period NHL hockey game action in Calgary, Saturday, Dec. 20, 2025. (Jeff McIntosh/The Canadian Press via AP)

Vegas Golden Knights' Brett Howden, left, checks Calgary Flames' MacKenzie Weegar, right, during first-period NHL hockey game action in Calgary, Saturday, Dec. 20, 2025. (Jeff McIntosh/The Canadian Press via AP)

Calgary Flames goalie Devin Cooley stares down the puck during the third period of an NHL hockey game against the Vegas Golden Knights in Calgary, Alberta, Saturday, Dec. 20, 2025. (Jeff McIntosh/The Canadian Press via AP)

Vegas Golden Knights' Zach Whitecloud, front left, and goalie Akira Schmid, right, look away as Calgary Flames' Mikael Backlund, back right, celebrates after scoring during second-period NHL hockey game action in Calgary, Saturday, Dec. 20, 2025. (Jeff McIntosh/The Canadian Press via AP)

Vegas Golden Knights goalie Akira Schmid is scored on by Calgary Flames' Mikael Backlund during the second period of an NHL hockey game, in Calgary, Alberta, Saturday, Dec. 20, 2025. (Jeff McIntosh/The Canadian Press via AP)

INGLEWOOD, Calif. (AP) — Luka Doncic suffered an injury and didn't return after halftime of the Los Angeles Lakers' game against the Los Angeles Clippers on Saturday night.

The Lakers said the NBA's leading scorer had a left leg contusion. Doncic leads the league at 35.2 points per game, just ahead of Oklahoma City's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander at 32.5.

“I saw him limping in the second quarter,” coach JJ Redick said after the Lakers' 108-88 loss, adding that he had no further update.

Doncic had 12 points, five rebounds and two assists while playing 19 minutes in the first half, when the visiting Lakers trailed 54-39. He missed his first six shots while picking up a technical foul.

“The worst thing about sports is injuries,” LeBron James said afterward. “Not just basketball, but sports in general. Whoever is in uniform, we have to go out and execute at the utmost pace that we can. Then on the other end, we got to defend.”

James hadn't talked to Doncic, but said he noticed the Slovenian star limping.

Doncic's absence left the Lakers even more short-handed.

Rui Hachimura missed his first start of the season. The forward who averages 13.3 points has a sore groin that occurred after Thursday’s game at Utah. He’s expected to be out 3 to 5 days.

The team hopes to get Deandre Ayton (left elbow) and Ais doustin Reaves (left calf) back soon.

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA

Los Angeles Lakers' Luka Doncic (77) is defended by Los Angeles Clippers' Bogdan Bogdanovic (10), Nicolas Batum (33) and Kobe Sanders (4) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, Dec. 20, 2025, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

Los Angeles Lakers forward/guard Luka Doncic (77) reacts to a play during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Los Angeles Clippers Saturday, Dec. 20, 2025, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)