Hobbling to a Finish: Breaking Down All the Injuries that the St. Louis Blues Have Suffered in 2015-16
![January 8, 2016; Anaheim, CA, USA; Anaheim Ducks Corey Perry (10) reacts after colliding with St. Louis Blues goalie Jake Allen (34) during the second period at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports January 8, 2016; Anaheim, CA, USA; Anaheim Ducks Corey Perry (10) reacts after colliding with St. Louis Blues goalie Jake Allen (34) during the second period at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/0b9b7967e98b651426309fa114381f0048bcef97c1f01a609b3211223f5829ed.jpg)
Alex Pietrangelo
one game missed (and counting) due to knee injury; projected to miss at least three weeks
The Blues have only been without Alex Pietrangelo for one game thus far, and while they were able to limit the Winnipeg Jets to just one goal on Tuesday night, that doesn’t mean that life will be at all easy without their top defenseman. Pietrangelo’s absence means that Kevin Shattenkirk will have to play minutes high into the 20s, which he’s very rarely done during his six-season NHL career, and guys like Robert Bortuzzo will have to be trusted with increased minutes and some special teams work.
Perhaps the biggest concern is that the effects of Pietrangelo’s injury will linger into the months of March and April, which would represent a big problem as the Blues are trying to lock up a playoff spot and then advance in the tournament. Thus, the pressure is going to be on the aforementioned players, as well as Colton Parayko, to prove that they can play extended minutes and provide reliable protection in their own end, not just only over the next three weeks, but for the rest of the season.
Next: Jaden Schwartz