Hertl has three points for Sharks in victory against Sabres

SAN JOSE -- Tomas Hertl had two goals and an assist for the San Jose Sharks in a 5-3 win against the Buffalo Sabres at SAP Center on Tuesday.

Ryan Merkley scored his first NHL goal, Mario Ferraro had a goal and an assist, and James Reimer made 25 saves for San Jose (6-3-0).
"The credit goes to the players," said Sharks assistant coach John MacLean, who is filling in while Bob Boughner is in NHL COVID-19 protocol. "They really rallied behind this here. You know, next man up mentality."

Jeff Skinner scored twice, Vinnie Hinostroza had two assists, and Craig Anderson made 22 saves for Buffalo (5-3-1).
"We didn't play to our identity, so a really big learning lesson because that was a very winnable game," Sabres coach Don Granato said. "We have a room of competitive guys that didn't compete hard enough."
Ferraro gave the Sharks a 4-2 lead at 6:02 of the third period with a slap shot from the point. It was his first goal of the season.
"We keep telling him to shoot more," Sharks captain Logan Couture said. "He can shoot the puck hard."
Hertl made it 5-2 at 11:46 before Skinner's second goal cut it to 5-3 at 18:13.
"I'm just happy I scored. It was nice to get my line going," Hertl said. "The win is what matters most to me."
Jonathan Dahlen gave San Jose a 1-0 lead at 7:25 of the first period. Anderson blocked a shot by William Eklund and Dahlen scored on the rebound.
Skinner tied it 1-1 at 8:48 with a shot through traffic.
Merkley put the Sharks ahead 2-1 at 12:49 with a shot from the blue line that deflected off the skate Sabres forward Anders Bjork.

Merkley was playing his second NHL game. He made his NHL debut Saturday and was one of the players recalled from San Jose of the American Hockey League after the Sharks placed seven players in COVID-19 protocol.
"He's played excellent," Couture said. "He practices hard. He's learning to be a pro."
Hertl made it 3-1 at 6:13 of the second period with a backhand, but Drake Caggiula brought Buffalo within 3-2 at 13:33 with a slap shot that deflected in off the post.
"If we're going to be a good team we're going to have to learn how to win on the road," Skinner said. "We're going to have to learn to weather storms in tough buildings. Unfortunately, today we weren't able to do that."
NOTES:Sharks forward Nick Merkley (no relation to Ryan) had an assist for his first NHL point. … San Jose forward Rudolfs Balcers had two assists. … Ferraro had five of San Jose's 11 blocked shots. … Sharks forward Andrew Cogliano played 15:43 after missing one game in COVID-19 protocol. … Sabres forward Cody Eakin returned after missing five games with an upper-body injury. He had one shot, one hit and was minus-1 in 13:40.