Sharks’ Tomas Hertl becoming offensive force
Sharks’ Tomas Hertl becoming offensive force
[...] the Sharks forward is proving to be a playoff gamer.
Hertl scored the ice-breaker in Game 1 on Friday to trigger the Sharks’ five-goal third period and comeback victory.
“Before the puck drops, he’s a quiet, unassuming, happy-go-lucky kid,” Sharks coach Peter DeBoer said.
When the puck drops again shortly after 5 p.m. Sunday at SAP Center, Hertl & Co. will be looking to go up 2-0 in their best-of-seven Western Conference semifinals series against Nashville.
Hertl has taken a noticable step in his development during his third NHL season, especially since midseason.
The 22-year-old Czech native opened the season at his natural center ice position.
[...] we play pretty good hockey — not just playoffs, but a little bit before.
Hertl’s 6-foot-2, 210-pound frame fits nicely on the line when it comes to establishing a forecheck and cycle.As in their first-round series against the Los Angeles Kings, Sharks forwards want to pressure the talented and deep Nashville defense.
[...] when San Jose does earn possession, Hertl has the skill and determination to work in the dirty areas in front of the net to complement Thornton’s passing and Pavelski’s opportunistic ways.
Hertl enjoyed his best regular season, setting career highs in goals (21), assists (25), (46), plus-minus (plus-16) and shots on goal (202) while averaging 15:58 of ice time a night.
[...] Hertl’s production continues to into late spring with four goals and eight points during 13 career playoff games.
Hertl figures to return to center ice as his career continues to unfold, but his season really turned around starting on Jan. 9 when his defensive responsibilities were changed with a move to the wing.
[...] in the playoffs, where young players get tested, Hertl is passing that challenge as well.
“If I get hit or cross-checked I’m OK with smiling back every time,” Hertl said in his broken yet improving English.
After the Sharks’ top power-play unit failed to convert, he stepped on with the second group and came through.
“I was sure happy to see a small hole,” Hertl said of his shot, which slipped under Predators goalie Pekka Rinne’s glove and just inside the near post to tie it 1-1 early in the third.