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DeBoer isn’t about to rule Hertl out of the Stanley Cup Final

San Jose Sharks v Colorado Avalanche

DENVER, CO - FEBRUARY 24: Tomas Hertl #48 of the San Jose Sharks awaits a face off against the Colorado Avalanche at Pepsi Center on February 24, 2016 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)

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Despite a report surfacing Monday saying Tomas Hertl was out for the remainder of the Stanley Cup Final with a knee injury, San Jose Sharks head coach Pete DeBoer isn’t ready to completely rule out the talented 22-year-old forward just yet.

Hertl has missed the last two games of the championship series versus the Pittsburgh Penguins. The Sharks travel back to Pittsburgh trailing 3-1 in the series. They need a win Thursday to extend it back to California for Game 6.

“Improvement every day that I’ve seen him. Hopeful, yes. I term him as day-to-day,” DeBoer told reporters.

“This time of year, guys find an inner strength and play with injuries. I mean, that’s just what these guys do at this level. I’m not ruling him out for any games.”

With Hertl out, Melker Karlsson, Logan Couture and Joonas Donskoi have all seen time on the top line with Joe Thornton and Joe Pavelski.

Related: With Hertl out again, Sharks wary of loading up top line