June 03, 2016 - 12:36 PM
SAN JOSE, Calif. - The status of San Jose Sharks winger Tomas Hertl is in question for Saturday's Game 3 of the Stanley Cup final.
The 22-year did not practise Friday morning. Head coach Pete DeBoer said Hertl's absence was for "maintenance."
"He's got a little something," DeBoer said. "(We) just kept him off (the ice)."
Hertl did skate briefly in a tracksuit beforehand and will likely be a game-time decision for Game 3. The Sharks are back home after dropping the first two games in Pittsburgh.
Hertl was replaced at practice by 25-year-old Melker Karlsson.
Playing in his usual spot alongside Joe Thornton and Joe Pavelski on the Sharks' top line, Hertl had two shots in more than 20 minutes in a Game 2 overtime loss. He has six goals and 11 points in the post-season following a career-high 21 goals and 46 points during the regular season.
Karlsson, a Swedish winger who played less than 10 minutes in Game 2, would likely replace Hertl if the Czech forward is unable to play. Karlsson has three goals in 20 games this spring and experience playing alongside both Thornton and Pavelski.
"I know how to play (with them) if that's the case, if I'm going in there, because I've played with them before," Karlsson said. "I'm ready to go if that's the case."
Hertl's absence would be a blow to a San Jose team which has struggled to generate much offence through the first two games. In Game 2, the Sharks mustered only 22 shots at Penguins rookie goaltender Matt Murray in a 2-1 loss.
News from © The Canadian Press, 2016