Tomas Hertl Set to Return for Golden Knights vs. Kraken

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Center Tomas Hertl is poised to rejoin the Vegas Golden Knights lineup for Thursday night’s game against the Seattle Kraken after recovering from an upper-body injury. Hertl had missed the previous games following an incident on March 23 against the Tampa Bay Lightning, where he was injured when slammed into the boards by defenseman Emil Lilleberg.

Hertl, who has been a pivotal player for the Golden Knights this season, leads the team in goals and has significantly contributed to the power play, both crucial metrics for the team’s offensive strategy. His absence was felt by the club during their recent matches, as noted by coach Bruce Cassidy. “Tomas adds a unique skill set that we missed on the ice. Having him back will definitely bolster our performance,” Cassidy said.

The Golden Knights are facing a critical point in the season, grappling with injuries to notable players including Jack Eichel and Alex Pietrangelo, who will miss their second consecutive game due to an upper-body injury and illness, respectively. Eichel did not participate in the morning skate but has been described as “ready to go” by Cassidy. In contrast, Vega’s lineup for Thursday will likely reflect the same players used in their last matchup against the Colorado Avalanche, which ended with a close 3-2 shootout loss.

The Kraken will also carry the same group of 18 skaters from their recent outing, a tough 7-1 loss against the Utah Hockey Club. Despite their struggles, the Kraken are keen to make a comeback and capitalize against a hobbled Golden Knights team. Their lineup features Jaden Schwartz, Matty Beniers, and Kaapo Kakko, among others, aiming to improve from previous performances.

Both teams are experiencing fluctuations in their rosters due to injuries and positional changes. For the Golden Knights, a notable change is the swapping of Brett Howden and Nicolas Roy between the first and fourth lines, in an effort to enhance performance throughout the roster.

Fans can expect an exciting matchup as both teams vie for crucial points in the standings, with Hertl’s return poised to make a significant impact on the Golden Knights’ playoff push.