Sharks' Erik Karlsson, Tomas Hertl Out for Game 6; Questionable Joe Pavelski

The Sharks will have neither Erik Karlsson nor Tomas Hertl for the sixth match, and Joe Pavelski is a decision to make at the time of the match. Because of the low standards set by a fifth game disaster, the news could be worse. Joe Pavelski could be permanently eliminated instead of being eliminated and hindered. Joonas Donskoi could have worsened the situation by taking a puck in his face. Timo Meier could be hurt instead of just jumping a seemingly optional skate. The striker and the goalkeeper who beat him at training this morning could have been important players. Logan Couture could have fallen by a manhole. Peter DeBoer could have announced his resignation in favor of S.J. Sharkie.

But it's still very bad news. Neither Karlsson, slowed by an apparent groin injury that kept the defender out of the game for a good part of the regular season, and Hertl, who definitely played a concussion Although the team will admit it only after the season, she even made the trip to St. Louis. Pavelski – who could very well try to play his second series concussion – is there, but remains a big question mark, even if he does not even dress.

DeBoer really did not want to talk about Pavelski's availability or the meaning of those absences for the Sharks' hopes of staying alive and forcing the series to return home.

Tim Heed and Marcus Sorensen will be dressing up for Karlsson and Hertl, and if Pavelski can not come, Dylan Gambrell will join the formation in his place. All the unpleasant options for the Sharks, who, even with all the big names in the lineup, are struggling to keep pace with a blues attack that hits at the right time. But it is less likely that things have happened (in the playoffs and in favor of this team!) Compared to the Sharks outnumbered who stole a match tonight. And after that, who knows? This is a team that has thrived on the bizarre game 7.