Faulk missed Saturday's practice due to an illness, but is expected to play Sunday against Toronto.

EDGE Analysis

Faulk reportedly toughed it out and played through his illness Friday against the Avalanche, but he wasn't feeling well enough to participate in Saturday's on-ice session. The 24-year-old blueliner is expected to be available for Sunday's matchup with Toronto, but if he's unexpectedly unable to go, Ryan Murphy will likely replace him in the lineup against the Maple Leafs.

Faulk scored a goal, added an assist and registered six shots on net during Saturday's win over the Islanders.

EDGE Analysis

Faulk now has a goal, three assists and 11 shots during an active three-game point streak. His eight goals, 20 points and 114 shots over 36 games are solid marks, and Faulk is a high-end fantasy asset in all settings. He's often a touch under priced in daily contests, too.

The Hurricanes activated Faulk (lower body) off injured reserve Thursday.

EDGE Analysis

Faulk has missed Carolina's last four games due to an upper-body injury, but is expected to return to action Thursday against the Blues. The Hurricanes and fantasy owners alike will be happy to have the American defender back in their lineups, as Faulk was red-hot before missing time due to injury, having racked up nine points (four goals, five assists) in his last eight games.

Faulk (lower body) has a chance of returning during the Hurricanes' upcoming two-game road trip, per coach Bill Peters.

EDGE Analysis

Before the start of Carolina's road trip Thursday, Faulk will have only missed four games to the ailment, which would ultimately signal a speedy recovery if he is indeed able to suit up. The 'Canes and fantasy owners alike will be thrilled if that's the case, as the 24-year-old blueliner has been a serious scoring threat of late, notching nine points in the last eight games he's played.

Faulk (lower body) has been placed on injured reserve.

EDGE Analysis

Faulk is considered week-to-week with his ailment. In his absence, the Hurricanes are likely to continue rolling with Brett Pesce at right defense, while rounding out that side of the back line with a rotation of Ryan Murphy and Matt Tennyson. None of these blueliners figure to replicate Faulk's level of production on a per-game basis -- he's averaging just over a half-point per game with five points on the man advantage -- so it's best to look outside of Carolina if you've lost Faulk in fantasy and need a replacement in a pinch.

Faulk is considered week-to-week with a lower-body injury sustained in the second half of Friday's game against the Bruins.

EDGE Analysis

NHL teams were understandably quiet during the holiday break, but this is quite the unfortunate development for Faulk and his fantasy owners. The prolific power-play defenseman logged 22:58 of ice time in that game against Boston, which didn't raise suspicion of an injury due to that figure neatly aligning with his season average. Ryan Murphy figures to pick up more consistent playing time with Faulk out indefinitely.

Faulk registerd a goal and an assist Friday, spearheading a 3-2 comeback overtime win against the Bruins.

EDGE Analysis

Following a dreadful start to the season that saw him register just seven points in his first 22 games, Faulk has since exploded for nine points in his past eight contests. Any fears that he should no longer be considered one of the elite blueliners in the game should be put to rest, as Faulk is now showing the same form that saw him record a career-high 49 points two seasons ago. Use him well.

Faulk had by far his finest game of the season in Tuesday's win over Vancouver, scoring a goal on nine shots to go with two assists and a plus-3 rating.

EDGE Analysis

Faulk had been struggling mightily all year long, but he's always capable of these big-time performances; it was just a matter of time before he broke one out. This could be a real confidence-building game for the 24-year-old blueliner; it wouldn't be surprising to see him keep playing at a high level.

Faulk finished Saturday's 4-3 loss to the Sharks with zero points, one shot on a goal and a minus-1 rating. He now has just nine points on the season and just two in his last 11 games.

EDGE Analysis

There's no two ways about it -- Faulk has been flat-out abysmal this season. His inability to score is bad enough, but if your league counts plus-minus, his minus-14 rating -- worst on his team and third-worst in the entire league -- is absolutely killing you right now. Feel free to bench him until he can find a way to figure things out.

Faulk attempted a game-high seven shots in Thursday's 2-1 loss to the Canadiens.

EDGE Analysis

Faulk also led his team with 25:15 of ice time, but finished with a minus-1 rating despite the strong showing. The 24-year-old blueliner still hasn't found the back of the net in November despite taking 27 shots in eight games.