Blues’ Pietrangelo sidelined with the flu

While Vladimir Tarasenko expects to return from his concussion issues and Alexander Steen recently recovered from a shoulder injury, the St. Louis Blues will be without key cogs Alex Pietrangelo and T.J. Oshie against the Anaheim Ducks on Saturday.

Oshie was placed on the IR while Pietrangelo is dealing with flu-like symptoms, according to NHL.com’s Lou Korac.

Pietrangelo, 23, has generally been a sturdy blueliner for the Blues. He’s played in all 27 of the team’s games in 2013 and all but one regular season game in 2011-12. His absence was pronounced in the playoffs, however, as the team clearly struggled that much more against the Los Angeles Kings with him on the shelf/not quite 100 percent.

The defenseman many believe will be a future Norris Trophy winner has 18 points (five goals and 13 assists) so far this season.