After a couple days of mystery, everyone's fears have been confirmed. The Sharks will be without a couple key players for Game 6 of the Western Conference final.
Sharks head coach Peter DeBoer told the media on Tuesday morning that forward Tomas Hertl and defenseman Erik Karlsson are officially out for Game 6 against the Blues. Captain Joe Pavelski is a game-time decision.
Both Karlsson and Hertl were absent from San Jose's bench in the third period of Game 5. Karlsson was initially a game-time decision for Game 5 after potentially aggravating a lower-body injury he sustained during the regular season.
Hertl's status isn't well known, although he took a high hit from Blues' forward Ivan Barbashev in the first period of Game 5.
Tim Heed is expected to pencil into the lineup for Karlsson. It isn't as clear who will replace Hertl, although it's believed center Dylan Gambrell will fill that role.
