Preview/Lines #22: Hertl Suffers ‘Mid-Body Injury’ at Home, Will Not Play Tonight

The cellar-dwelling San Jose Sharks have built some momentum with three points in their last four games, including a thrilling 4-3 victory over the Vancouver Canucks on Saturday night.

That momentum, however, will be countered tonight by the absence of their top player, Tomas Hertl, who will miss the game with what head coach David Quinn said was a not serious “mid-body” injury.

Injury is not considered serious. It happened at home. Quinn won’t say how, though https://t.co/cRUCdUq0jd

— Curtis Pashelka (@CurtisPashelka) November 27, 2023

With 16 points, four goals and 12 assists, Hertl is the only Shark with double-digit points through 21 games. Mike Hoffman (6-2-8), Fabian Zetterlund (5-3-8), and William Eklund (4-4-8) are just behind Hertl with eight points apiece.

San Jose Sharks (4-15-2)

Per The Mercury News and The Hockey News, Mackenzie Blackwood will draw the start tonight.

Newly-signed Justin Bailey will be in the line-up, Nikita Okhotiuk too.

Along with Hertl’s injury, we know that Marc-Edouard Vlasic will be scratched.

Projected lines:

No Tomas Hertl tonight, out with a mid-body injury.
Justin Bailey to make his #SJSharks debut tonight. pic.twitter.com/fxyVvh8aGC

— Locked on Sharks (@LockedOnSharks) November 27, 2023

Washington Capitals (10-5-2)

How the Capitals will line up against the Sharks https://t.co/QoR3eb2w0u

— RMNB (@rmnb) November 27, 2023

Where to Watch

Puck drop between the San Jose Sharks and Washington Capitals is 7:30 PM PT at SAP Center. Watch it live on NBC Sports California. Listen to it on the Sharks Audio Network.