SAN JOSE — Just the mention of Tomas Hertl’s name calls to mind three things: hockey’s best smile, his four-goal game as a rookie in 2013-14 and the question of whether he’ll ever be truly healthy after suffering a series of knee injuries early in his career.
After putting together a career year this winter, Hertl is finally gaining notoriety for something else: a physical-power game that helped the Sharks absorb Patrick Marleau’s loss.
As the Sharks prepare to close out their first-round Stanley Cup playoff series in Game 4 at SAP Center Wednesday, Hertl is getting attention for the role he’s playing in helping the Sharks stand up to the Anaheim Ducks rugged style of play.