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Hertl leaves road trip, will undergo MRI in San Jose

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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The Sharks will finish their six-game road swing on Saturday in Arizona, and they’ll probably be glad to see it end.

Having lost their last two games -- 1-0 in Carolina, and 3-2 in St. Louis -- the Sharks have also lost the services of a key forward, as Tomas Hertl has been returned to San Jose to undergo an MRI.

“Any time you’re sending a guy back early on a trip to get looked at there’s concern, but you look around the league, everyone is dealing with injuries,” head coach Peter DeBoer said. “A lot of injuries to key guys.”

Per CSN Bay Area, it’s possible Hertl re-injured his right knee, which has given him problems throughout the last few years.

Hertl played just over 10 minutes in last night’s loss to the Blues, and was last seen limping up the tunnel during the second period. Losing him for any length of time will hurt -- Hertl has been a steady producer for the Sharks this year, with four goals and five assists for nine points in 16 games.

“He’s a big part of this team,” Logan Couture said, per CSN Bay Area. “Great player. Really come into his own these last couple years. Some nights he’s our best player on the ice.

“Big hole to fill if he is to miss some time. Hopefully it’s not too bad.”

The Sharks are thin at forward right now. Melker Karlsson, along with Hertl, missed Friday’s practice and there’s no update on his status for tomorrow’s game. Karlsson is dealing with a left ankle ailment.