St. Louis is facing a season of unexpected challenges, as their record sits at a disappointing 7-9-6. Amidst the team's struggles to find consistency and playoff contention, a surprising element has emerged from the defensive ranks. Justin Faulk, the Blues' 33-year-old veteran defenseman, is experiencing a surge in offensive production, marking one of the most prolific stretches of his career.

Faulk's resurgence presents a complex scenario for the St. Louis Blues, especially with the trade deadline approaching. While his offensive contributions are a welcome surprise, they also complicate the team's blueprint and potential moves.

In the modern NHL, offensive contributions from defensemen are highly valued. Faulk recently marked his 1,000th career game and then delivered a two-goal performance against the Philadelphia Flyers. Despite the team losing, Faulk's performance showcased his offensive capabilities, with one goal being a slapshot through traffic and the other a precise one-timer on the power play. Through 21 games, Faulk has six goals and six assists.

The Blues have struggled to maintain leads, contributing to their woes. A game against the Flyers saw them relinquish a two-goal lead, and they also lost a recent game to the Toronto Maple Leafs in overtime after scoring first. Coach Jim Montgomery acknowledged the team's struggles to close out games, despite their effort.

Offensively, the Blues have lacked consistency. The team's scoring has been distributed among several players, with Faulk and Jordan Kyrou each contributing six goals and six assists. Robert Thomas has been a creative force with 10 assists.

The New York Islanders, who recently played the Blues, have displayed balanced scoring, winning four of their last five games. They have averaged 3.2 goals per game. The Blues, in contrast, have struggled, losing four of their last five games and often scoring two or fewer goals.