Tomas Hertl’s remarkable run with the Golden Knights hit a potential roadblock Sunday against the Tampa Bay Lightning. 

After netting his 31st goal of the season — his fourth in two games — Hertl was tracking toward career highs with 36 goals and 69 points.

The momentum shifted in the third period when Lightning defenseman Emil Lilleberg’s check sent Hertl crashing arm-first into the boards following a breakaway attempt. Though able to skate off under his own power, Hertl immediately favored his right wrist before exiting the game.

Despite securing a 4-2 victory, Vegas now faces uncertainty about their red-hot forward’s availability moving forward.

“He’s (Hertl) getting evaluated now and again tomorrow,” Golden Knights coach Bruce Cassidy said. “He was sore when he came off, so we’ll see. Maybe we’ll get good news tomorrow.” 

Lilleberg was assessed a two-minute minor penalty for boarding. Officials reviewed the call to determine if it would be upgraded to a major but didn’t reverse their decision. 

Cassidy didn’t argue with the call and said that Lilleberg’s hit was “senseless.” 

“I don’t know if it’s a big guy trying to establish himself in the league, but that’s kind of a senseless hit to me,” Cassidy said. “A situation like that, when a guy’s in a defenseless position and not a threat when the puck’s in the corner. It’s unfortunate for us, and hopefully, Herts (Hertl) is fine.” 

Losing Hertl, who leads the team in scoring, would be a major hit to the Golden Knights offense with the playoffs on the horizon. 

Specifically on the power play, Hertl has given the unit a second option in front of the net to score. It’s how Hertl scored two of his three goals in Saturday’s win against the Detroit Red Wings. He leads the team in power play conversions with 14. 

“He’s (Hertl) playing some of his best hockey probably in his career. He’s only been with us for a year now, but he was hurt when he got here last year,” Cassidy said. “We’ve got other players in the lineup. If he’s going to miss time, will insert (other players in), but hopefully he’ll heal up quickly.”  

While Hertl has made up a bulk of the Golden Knights offense over the last two games, Vegas has gotten production from other spots in the lineup. 

Against the Lightning, Nicolas Roy scored on the power play, and Nicolas Hague scored an empty net goal. Jack Eichel scored in the final minute of the second period for his 87th point of the season. 

“We’re trying to build our game for the playoffs,” Roy said. “The home stands been really good. We’ve played some great offensive-minded teams, and defensively, we’ve been really good. We’re taking great steps for the playoffs.”