Golden Knights Navigating Goalie Turbulence, Lean on Leadership and Depth
In the NHL, goaltending doesn’t just win games - it can define a season. And for the Vegas Golden Knights, the past several weeks have been a real-time test of that truth.
When starting netminder Adin Hill went down with a lower-body injury back on October 20, Vegas was riding high. They were undefeated in regulation at 5-0-2 and perched atop the NHL standings.
But losing your No. 1 goalie early in the season? That’s the kind of blow that can shift a team’s trajectory fast.
Since Hill’s injury, the Golden Knights have gone 6-6-6 - a record that reflects a team doing just enough to stay afloat. In that stretch, goaltending duties have fallen to Akira Schmid and rookie Carl Lindbom.
And it hasn’t been easy. Vegas has also been without key skaters like captain Mark Stone, center William Karlsson, and defenseman Noah Hanifin for portions of that run.
That’s a lot of firepower and structure missing from the lineup.
But here’s the good news: Hanifin and Stone are back, and their presence is already making a difference. Despite the rollercoaster November, Vegas woke up Sunday sitting at 11-6-8, good for third in the Pacific Division. That’s not dominance, but it’s resilience - and in a league where the margin between elite and average can be razor-thin, that matters.
Goaltending Carousel: Schmid, Lindbom, and Now Hart
With Hill still sidelined, the crease has been a revolving door. Akira Schmid has taken the bulk of the starts and has been steady, if not spectacular. He’s posted a 9-2-4 record with a 2.51 goals-against average and an .896 save percentage - numbers that suggest he’s keeping Vegas in games, even if he’s not stealing them outright.
Carl Lindbom, meanwhile, is going through the growing pains you’d expect from a rookie netminder. It took him seven starts to notch his first NHL win, which came Saturday night in a tight 4-3 victory over the division rival San Jose Sharks.
He’s now 1-4-2 on the season with a 3.14 GAA and an .870 save percentage. There’s promise there, but also a learning curve.
Help could be on the way, though. Veteran goaltender Carter Hart becomes eligible to play on Monday and may return to NHL action as soon as Tuesday - which would mark his first appearance in nearly two years. Hart has been practicing with the Golden Knights since signing in October and recently wrapped up a three-game conditioning stint with the AHL’s Henderson Silver Knights.
At his best, Hart brings a level of poise and skill that can stabilize the crease. He owns a career .906 save percentage and a 2.94 GAA - not elite numbers, but certainly capable of anchoring a team through stretches of uncertainty. If he’s ready, Hart could be a pivotal piece in helping Vegas weather this stretch until Hill returns.
Cassidy Makes Bold Lineup Call After Montreal Letdown
Vegas head coach Bruce Cassidy isn’t afraid to shake things up - and he made that clear with a gutsy lineup decision Saturday night. Coming off a flat 4-1 loss to the Montreal Canadiens, Cassidy opted to healthy scratch veterans Brandon Saad and Reilly Smith.
That’s not a move any coach makes lightly. Saad has logged 959 NHL games and owns two Stanley Cup rings.
Smith, one of the original “Golden Misfits,” has 943 games and a Cup of his own. These are players with serious resumes.
But Cassidy went with youth and energy, inserting Cole Reinhardt and Alexander Holtz into the lineup. The decision was driven by a mix of performance concerns and a brutal schedule - Saturday marked Vegas’ fourth game in six nights, and fresh legs were a priority.
Before the game, Cassidy also held a brief but pointed meeting with his leadership group - Mark Stone, Jack Eichel, and Brayden McNabb - during the morning skate. The huddle at center ice lasted about five minutes. Cassidy didn’t offer details afterward, but judging by the team’s bounce-back win over San Jose, the message seemed to land.
Stone Heating Up, Leading by Example
Mark Stone continues to remind everyone why he wears the “C.” The Vegas captain notched another assist Saturday, extending his point streak to nine games - and he’s been downright dominant in that stretch. With 16 points (4 goals, 12 assists) in just nine games, Stone currently leads the NHL in points per game at 1.78.
At 33, Stone’s two-way impact remains elite. He represented Team Canada at last year’s 4 Nations Face-Off and is firmly in the conversation for the Olympic roster this February. Team Canada’s management group is set to meet next week, and you can bet Stone’s name will come up - especially if he keeps playing like this.
The Bottom Line
The Golden Knights haven’t looked invincible lately, but they’ve shown something just as important: staying power. With their starting goalie out, key players missing time, and a demanding schedule, Vegas has managed to stay in the hunt. They’re not dominating like they were in October, but they’re collecting points, staying competitive, and getting contributions from up and down the roster.
If Carter Hart can provide stability in net, and if Stone keeps playing at an MVP level, Vegas could be poised to hit another gear - just in time for the heart of the season.