Alex Pietrangelo (illness) will play on Friday. Pietrangelo didn't play on Tuesday because of the disease. He has four goals and nine points in 23 games in 2011-12.

Alex Pietrangelo will probably be able to return on Friday from an illness. He didn't play on Tuesday because he was feeling under the weather. Pietrangelo has accounted for four goals, five assists and a plus-9 rating in 23 games this season.

Alex Pietrangelo missed Tuesday's game due to an illness. Cade Fairchild made his NHL debut against the Washington Capitals as a result of Pietrangelo's absence. The Blues don't play again until Friday, so he has some time to get better. Consider him day-to-day for now.

St. Louis coach Ken Hitchcock thinks that Alex Pietrangelo could be a number one defenseman. Hitchcock is talking about players like Nicklas Lidstrom and Chris Pronger and that is mighty high praise. "There's not many defensemen where you say 'this guy's got a chance to be a '1','' Hitchcock said. "He has a chance to be a '1' and not many teams have that. He's a young guy, he's just learning to play the game. But there's not many players in the league that are able to play against top players, play on the power play, kill penalties. Those are valuable guys, where you can play them heavy minutes every night and not worry about them." Well, it there was ever a doubt to take Pietrangelo in any fantasy pool, put those thoughts aside right now.

Alex Pietrangelo scored his third goal of the season to give the St. Louis Blues a 3-2 overtime win over the Penguins in Pittsburgh. The defenseman's goal came with only 53 seconds left in the overtime period. Jamie Langenbrunner and Scott Nichol also scored for the Blues, their second and first of the season, respectively.

Alex Pietrangelo registered an assist in in the Blues' 3-2 loss to Toronto Thursday. Pietrangelo has been one of the only bright spots for the lowly Blues and now has seven points in 15 games. Pietrangelo should be viewed a solid number two blueliner in 14-team leagues. Jason Arnott and Patrik Berglund got the goals for St-Louis in the loss tonight.

Alex Pietrangelo took a shot off his hand in practice on Friday. Apparently Pietrangelo is fine and will be in the lineup Saturday. This is great news for the Blues who cannot afford any injuries like last season.

Alex Pietrangelo scored the game-winning goal and registered an assist in the Blues' 5-2 victory over Calgary on Monday. Jason Arnott also had a goal and an assist, giving him three points in two games this season. Alex Steen, Kevin Shattenkirk, and Chris Stewart accounted for the Blues' other three goals. Andy McDonald registered his first and second assists of the season.

Alex Pietrangelo played alongside Kent Huskins for the second time on Friday. Pietrangelo came into his own last season as the rearguard had 11 goals and 43 points. The 21-year-old is looking to build on that this season and with the defensive minded Huskins as his partner, Pietrangelo could take more offensive gambles. Look for the fourth overall selection to get 45-50 points this season. He could eventually be a top-five fantasy defenseman so he deserves to go higher in keeper pools. Huskins had only two goals and 10 points in 50 games last season so his fantasy value will be negligible.

The St. Louis Blues have decided not to make Alex Pietrangelo an assistant captain. Pietrangelo wore the 'A' after the trade deadline last season when the Blues made some trade and were struck with some injuries but have decided to let the 21-year-old just concentrate on his terrific play. The Blues used the same strategy with David Backes a few years ago and named him the captain on Friday at the age of 27. Peitrangelo was the fourth overall pick in the 2008 Entry Draft and came into his own last season with 11 goals and 43 points and then followed it up with two goals and five points for Team Canada in the World Championships in May, leading the tournament with a plus-nine rating. Look for Pietrangelo to become a top-five fantasy defeneseman in the next couple of years.