Tomas Hertl scored at the 1:13 mark of overtime to give the Sharks a 4-3 win over the Los Angeles Kings on Thursday at Crypto.com Arena.
Right now no one can say for sure whether center Tomas Hertl will be with the San Jose Sharks next season or even March 22.
But on Thursday, Hertl offered a reminder of why he's been so meaningful to the Sharks for the past nine years, and why he would have left San Jose as a free agent or on the NHL trade deadline of March 21. So why would he be so dear? In off season.
Hertl assisted in a game-tying goal, was dominant in the faceoff circle, and scored an unassisted goal in overtime to lead the Sharks to a 4–3 win over the Los Angeles Kings at the Crypto.com Arena.
Hertl took possession of the puck in the King's zone and scored his 23rd goal of the season with goalkeeper Jonathan Quick, ending a 12-game goal drought and the Sharks' three-game losing streak. The two teams meet again on Saturday at the SAP Center.
"You can see the smile on his face and how happy he was," Sharks coach Bob Boffner said of Hertle. “He got the monkey off his back a little bit, he’s disappointed. The way he played and protected the puck tonight, his puck capture was on a whole different level. He’s just coming back to his A-game. Is. "
"I thought there were too many (opportunities) and I couldn't bury them and help the team, so it felt really good to be in overtime," Hertl said. "Hopefully I can go."
Erik Carlsen, in his first game since January 20, was assisted by a power-play goal by Brent Burns and an even-strength marker by Alexander Barbanov as the Sharks (25-25–7) took a third in seven games. Won the bar.
Nick Bonino also scored a power-play goal and goalkeeper Zach Sochenko overcame a shaky few seconds to finish with 33 saves in the first period and secure his first NHL win.
"I thought I was decent. Not great, not terrible," said Carlson, who had a 25:47 snow time. "All seems well."
Hurtle, 28, is in the final year of a four-year, $22.5 million contract he signed with the Sharks in 2018. As a pending unrestricted free agent, he's in line for a big raise, whether from the Sharks or another NHL team. ,
The Sharks are trying to re-sign Hertle for an extension but nothing has been finalized. If the two camps are unable to reach an agreement before the trade deadline, the Sharks will try to deal with the friendly centerman for a handsome package, which may include a high draft pick and a prospect.
On Thursday, Hertl and linemates Barbanov and Rudolfs Balsers were matched with two-time Selke Award winner and Kings leading scorer Anje Kopitar, who had three shots over the net but was off the scoresheet. Hertl won 14 out of 18 faceoffs.
"It's not just an O-zone guy, but I'm proud of myself for winning a lot of faceoffs and I think I did a good job today," Hertle said. "We played against Kopitar all night, so it's always good to get more chances against a top-line like this and just have to cut them down."
With five minutes remaining in the third period, Hertl ended the Sharks' power-play opportunity after being called for tripping. It was unusual to see Hertl so monstrously angry, but it appears King's defenseman Tobias Björnfot more or less fell into the snow on his own.
The Sharks hit a penalty as Los Angeles went 0-for-4 with Man Advantage.
"I know I should do better and not show emotion, but I'm doing everything I can to help the team and win," Hertl said.
The Sharks, now 10 points out of the playoff spot, have five games left before the trade deadline. Hertl has spent his entire NHL career in Northern California, but the reality is that he could play elsewhere in 10 days.
"You see how many draws I gave him at the end, and how many he won," Boffner said of Hertle, who won four out of six faceoffs in the third period. "He checked every box tonight."
Carlsen's comeback: Carlsen made an immediate offensive impact as he assisted on Burns' power-play goal on the 2:39 mark of the first period.
Carlsen, stationed at the half-wall, took a pass from Logan Couture and backhanded a pass to Burns, who once overtook Quick for his sixth goal of the season.
"He got better as the game progressed," Boffner said of Carlsen. “Everything from exiting the zone to breakouts to making controlled entries to helping create scoring chances was our power play, Eric was flying tonight.”
Carlson was a full participant in shark drills on Tuesday and Wednesday and was officially activated from the injured reserve on Thursday afternoon. Carlsen, who had surgery on his forearm, missed a total of 15 games from January 22 to Sunday, and in his absence the Sharks went 3-7-5 with 54 to 30 dismissals along the way.
SAWCHENKO Bounce Back: Los Angeles scored two goals in the first period in the span of eight seconds as Sochenko's gloved hand knocked it down a couple of times.
Savchenko, making a second straight start, could not handle Andreas Athanasiou's 30-foot shot and the loose puck went to Trevor Moore. He handed it over to Philippe Denault, who took his 17th goal of the season with Savchenko out of the net at 5:58 in the first period.
Athanasiou scored an earlier goal of 6:06, snatching a shot out of Savchenko's gloved hand.
Savchenko saved the first period 14 times, recovering from a two-goal burst. He also intercepted nine of 10 shots in the second period, with Moore shorthanded at 10:40 for a 3-1 Kings lead.
"He rebounded and found a way to settle himself and make some savings when he needed to," Boffner said. "I thought he played real solid in the second and third rounds."