Vegas Golden Knights defenseman Alex Pietrangelo (7), left, forward Tomas Hertl (48) and defenseman Shea Theodore (27) celebrate a goald during the third period against the Seattle Kraken at Climate Pledge Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Brashear-Imagn Images [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/3564390a-ecce-40c0-bdda-3a2b8d2f682a.jpeg] Vegas Golden Knights defenseman Alex Pietrangelo (7), left, forward Tomas Hertl (48) and defenseman Shea Theodore (27) celebrate a goald during the third period against the Seattle Kraken at Climate Pledge Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Brashear-Imagn Images Vegas Golden Knights forward Tomas Hertl will be unavailable this week as he deals with an injury. The 31-year-old suffered a shoulder injury against the Tampa Bay Lightning on Mar. 23 [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/vegas-golden-knights/latest-news/status-remains-unclear-for-red-hot-knights-center-tomas-hertl-as-team-leaves-for-three-game-road-trip] after he was pushed from behind and crashed into the boards. The initial reaction was an unpleasant one, and the Golden Knights are yet to release any positive news about the injury. Following the Golden Knights' practice, HC Bruce Cassidy confirmed that Hertl would remain out, forcing him to miss games against the Edmonton Oilers [http://thn.com/edmonton], Winnipeg Jets [http://thn.com/washington], Vancouver Canucks [http://thn.com/vancouver] and the Calgary Flames [http://thn.com/calgary]. In 70 games, the skilled Czech forward has scored 31 goals and 59 points, tying him for the team lead in goals with linemate Pavel Dorofeyev. The Golden Knights are on the cusp of clinching a playoff spot [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/vegas-golden-knights/latest-news/golden-knights-can-clinch-playoff-berth-tonight-without-playing] and are inching closer to locking up first place in the Pacific Division, which is allowing them to be patient with Hertl's recovery, but nerves are beginning to settle in about his chances of being ready for the start of the playoffs. Alex Pietrangelo was a participant in practice today [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/vegas-golden-knights/latest-news/golden-knights-defenseman-to-miss-next-two-games], taking line rushes alongside healthy scratch Ben Hutton, indicating that he isn't quite ready to hop back into the lineup. While things can change, and he hasn't been officially ruled out of tomorrow's fixture, all signs lead to Kaedan Korczak remaining in the lineup for Pietrangelo. Ilya Samsonov has also sustained an injury and has been announced day-to-day with an upper-body injury. Akira Schmid has been called up to replace him [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/vegas-golden-knights/latest-news/golden-knights-recall-akira-schmid-amid-injury-concern-for-ilya-samsonov] as the back-up goaltender. Stay updated with the most interesting Golden Knights stories, analysis, breaking news and more! Tap the star to add us to your favourites on Google News [https://news.google.com/publications/CAAqBwgKMK-q0gsw7sXpAw/sections/CAQqEAgAKgcICjCvqtILMO7F6QMwiNvfCA?hl=en-CA&gl=CA&ceid=CA%3Aen] to never miss a story.
