Red-hot Sharks set to welcome back Hertl

The San Jose Sharks are expected to have forward Tomas Hertl back in the lineup when they wrap up the pre-All-Star portion of their schedule.

He's expected to be in action Thursday versus the Edmonton Oilers, according to Curtis Pashelka of the San Jose Mercury News.

Hertl, activated from injured reserve Wednesday, has missed the last 32 games with a right knee sprain.

Scoring hasn't been a major concern of late for the first-place Sharks, but the punch Hertl can pack will be welcomed nonetheless. He established career-best numbers with 21 goals and 46 points last season.

San Jose's production has been middling this season, but the club has scored at a top-10 level over the last month, racking up 47 goals in its last 15 games.