If you’re among those Vegas Golden Knights fans who are criticizing the dismal postseason effort newcomer Tomas Hertl was turning in, know that he is also part of your fraternity.
“It was tough for me when we lost it because I know I can help way more than I did during the playoffs,” Hertl said during the club’s exit interviews.
Over seven playoff games as the Golden Knights were being dispatched by the Dallas Stars, Hertl would account for a solitary goal – a Game 1 power-play tally – and was minus-six. His six-game point drought to conclude the series was his longest in the NHL since a 12-game pointless stretch with the San Jose Sharks in 2017.
“I should be a player who can play with anybody in this league after a long time, but I just couldn’t find my 100% game,” Hertl said.
Big Moves Don’t Pay Dividends For Golden Knights
Vegas is just the latest NHL team to find out that making a big splash doesn’t mean you won’t be going under early in the playoffs. Along with Hertl, the Golden Knights were also adding defenseman Noah Hanifin and forward Anthony Mantha.
By Game 4, Mantha, who was pointless in three playoff games, was taking up permanent residence in the press box as a healthy scratch. Only Hanifin proved his worth during the playoffs. He was tied for second on the team in playoff scoring with 2-3-5 totals. Both of Hanifin’s goals were game winners.
Last spring, it was the New York Rangers bowing out in the opening round – also in a seven-game series against New Jersey – after making deadline deals for Patrick Kane and Vladimir Tarasenko.
Big Offseason For Hertl
Hertl will have a long summer to lick his wounds and look to do better in his first full season with the Golden Knights. He would appear in just six regular-season games with the team after recovering from January knee surgery.
“I just want to now get fully healthy, stronger, and just be ready for the season,” Hertl said. “Hopefully, I enjoy all 82 games, full season, and help this team to win.
“This team still has potential. This team will be back here when we finish even better and have, hopefully, a longer run.”
More must-reads: