from Pierre LeBrun of ESPN,

When the Carolina Hurricanes wrapped up October with an 0-6-2 record, the Connor McDavid talk was hot and heavy. Fans looked ahead to a miserable season and potential top-three lottery pick in next June's NHL draft. That's no certainty anymore, is it?

Carolina improved to 5-0-1 in the month of November after Monday nights' 4-1 win over the visiting Calgary Flames and suddenly are just a game under .500. In the Eastern Conference, that puts you in the playoff. Leading the way Monday was blue-liner Justin Faulk with a goal and two assists; he has five points in his last two games and now is up to 10 points on the season. Not bad for a guy who was dropped by Scott Burnside a week ago in the famous Toronto Media Hacks Hockey Pool. Come on Scotty, you're better than that!

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