Tomas Hertl will be absent from the Vegas Golden Knights` lineup for an undetermined period.
The Golden Knights will embark on a three-game road trip without the forward, who is currently being evaluated to ascertain the extent of his injury, as confirmed by General Manager Kelly McCrimmon on the VGK Insiders show on Monday.
McCrimmon informed host Daren Millard, `He is undergoing tests, some were conducted today, with further tests scheduled for tomorrow to accurately diagnose the injury.`
Hertl sustained the injury in the late stages of Sunday`s game against the Tampa Bay Lightning. He was forcefully driven into the boards by Emil Lilleberg following a breakaway attempt. Hertl left the game and did not return, while Lilleberg was penalized with a two-minute minor for boarding.
McCrimmon expressed his disagreement with the penalty call, stating, `Regardless of the penalty assessed, my primary concern was for Tomas`s well-being. While acknowledging the rule changes allowing officials to review major penalties and adjust them to minors or rescind them entirely, I disagree with the reduction to a two-minute minor in this instance.`
Head coach Bruce Cassidy described the hit post-game as `senseless,` especially considering Hertl was, in Cassidy`s words, playing `the best hockey of his career.`
The 31-year-old has scored 30 goals this season, along with 28 assists, in 68 games, including four goals in his last two appearances.
Vegas acquired Hertl, a long-time player for the San Jose Sharks, in a significant trade at the previous NHL trade deadline.
In more positive developments for the Golden Knights, defenseman Shea Theodore has traveled with the team and is anticipated to rejoin the lineup before their return home. Theodore, 29, has been out of action since sustaining an injury during Canada`s opening game of the 4 Nations Face-Off tournament.
Tristan Blackwood