Carter Hart is set to make his long-awaited return to NHL action Tuesday night, suiting up for the Vegas Golden Knights in a home matchup against the Chicago Blackhawks. It’ll be his first NHL start since January 2024-a significant moment for both Hart and a Golden Knights team that’s looking to bolster its goaltending depth heading into the heart of the season.
The 27-year-old netminder has spent the last few weeks on a conditioning stint with the Henderson Silver Knights, Vegas’ AHL affiliate. Over three starts, Hart posted a 1-2-0 record with a 3.07 goals-against average and an .839 save percentage. Not exactly eye-popping numbers, but for a goalie working his way back into rhythm after nearly a year away from NHL ice, the focus was more on reps than results.
His most recent AHL outing came Friday night in a 4-3 loss to the Ontario Reign, where he allowed four goals on 16 shots. Former Flyers teammate Tanner Laczynski netted a pair in that game, adding a bit of irony to Hart’s final tune-up before rejoining the NHL ranks.
Vegas officially recalled Hart on Saturday, and with his suspension set to expire Monday, he’s now eligible to return to NHL action. That sets the stage for Tuesday night’s start-a fresh chapter for a goalie who, not long ago, was viewed as one of the league’s most promising young talents.
Before his time away, Hart last appeared in an NHL game on January 20, 2024, when he gave up five goals on 15 shots in a 7-4 loss to the Colorado Avalanche. That performance capped off a difficult stretch, both on and off the ice, and Tuesday’s game offers a chance to begin rewriting the narrative.
For the Golden Knights, this isn’t just about giving Hart a look-it’s about seeing whether he can be a viable piece in their goaltending rotation moving forward. With the grind of the season intensifying and the playoffs always in focus for a team with championship aspirations, depth in net is a luxury every contender craves.
Now, all eyes shift to T-Mobile Arena. Hart’s return brings intrigue, questions, and the potential for redemption. If he can shake off the rust and find his form, the Golden Knights might have just added a significant piece to their puzzle.