Carter Hart Set to Debut for Golden Knights: What Vegas Needs from Their Newest Netminder
The Vegas Golden Knights are turning to a new face in net - one that hasn’t been seen in an NHL crease in nearly two years. Carter Hart is expected to make his debut for Vegas Tuesday night against the Chicago Blackhawks, and while the name might feel like a blast from the past, the implications are very much rooted in the present.
After being reinstated on December 1, Hart is stepping into a situation where the Golden Knights desperately need help between the pipes. With Adin Hill sidelined and Akira Schmid and Carl Lindbom rotating in his absence, Vegas has been searching for stability in goal. Hart, who signed a two-year deal with the team, now gets his shot to provide just that.
Let’s break down what Hart’s return means for the Golden Knights - and what he’ll need to do against a surging Blackhawks team led by the electric Connor Bedard.
A Long Road Back - and a Tough First Test
There’s no sugarcoating it: jumping back into NHL action after nearly two years away is no easy task. Hart missed the entire 2024-25 season while dealing with off-ice legal matters, and while he's now cleared to return, shaking off that kind of rust takes time - especially for a goaltender.
Timing, reflexes, and puck-tracking are all skills that sharpen with reps. And while Hart has been practicing and working his way back into game shape, nothing replicates live NHL action - especially not when your first assignment is a date with Bedard, who entered Tuesday tied for fourth in the league with 16 goals.
So don’t be surprised if Hart looks a bit tentative early. That’s natural. But what Vegas is banking on is his hockey IQ and technical foundation - particularly his strong glove hand and positional discipline - to help him weather the early storm.
What Hart Brings to the Table
When Hart is on his game, he’s calm, composed, and reads plays with precision. He’s not a goalie who relies on sheer athleticism to make desperation saves - he relies on being in the right place at the right time. That’s going to be key in this debut.
After a long layoff, reaction time might be a step slow, and rebound control could be shaky. But Hart’s strength has always been between the ears. If he can anticipate the play, stay square to shooters, and keep his angles clean, he can buy himself the extra split-second he might need to make those stops.
And let’s not forget - he doesn’t need to be perfect. He just needs to give his team a chance.
Vegas Needs to Play Tight in Front of Him
This can’t be a one-man show. If the Golden Knights want Hart to settle in and build confidence, they need to tighten up defensively and limit high-danger chances. That means taking away the middle of the ice, forcing the Blackhawks to the perimeter, and clearing out rebounds when they do get through.
We saw the opposite scenario unfold during Carl Lindbom’s first NHL start - a game where the Golden Knights only managed 19 shots on goal and left their rookie netminder hanging. That can’t happen again.
The good news? Vegas is coming off a strong offensive performance against San Jose. If they can carry that momentum into Tuesday and give Hart some goal support, the pressure on the back end eases significantly.
A Crucial Opportunity for the Golden Knights
For Vegas GM Kelly McCrimmon and his staff, Hart represents a potential solution in a season where goaltending has been a revolving door. Adin Hill’s lower-body injury left a major void, and while Schmid and Lindbom filled in admirably, the team has been searching for a more permanent answer.
Hart might just be that answer - or at least part of it.
This isn’t just about one game against Chicago. This is about whether Hart can re-establish himself as a reliable NHL goaltender.
If he can, it changes the equation for Vegas moving forward. It gives them depth, flexibility, and maybe even a bit of long-term clarity in the crease.
But first, it starts with one game. One chance to prove he still belongs.
All eyes will be on Hart when the puck drops Tuesday night. And while the challenge is steep, the opportunity is massive - for both him and the Golden Knights.