Goaltender Carter Hart is set to make his anticipated return to NHL action tonight as he starts for the Vegas Golden Knights against the Chicago Blackhawks, head coach Bruce Cassidy confirmed earlier today. The matchup marks Hart’s first NHL appearance since completing his league suspension and being recalled from the Henderson Silver Knights, the Golden Knights’ AHL affiliate.
Hart was reinstated by the NHL in October, alongside four other players—Dillon Dubé, Michael McLeod, Cal Foote, and Alex Formenton—after being found not guilty in a high-profile legal case related to allegations stemming from a 2018 incident involving members of Canada’s world junior team. The verdict cleared the players, enabling them to sign new contracts beginning October 15 and participate in NHL competition starting December 1.
Return to the NHL After AHL Preparation
Following his reinstatement, Hart signed a two-year, $4 million contract with the Golden Knights. For the past month, he has been focusing on conditioning and game readiness with Henderson, where he recorded a 3.07 goals-against average and .839 save percentage over three appearances.
Cassidy emphasized that Hart has demonstrated strong progress since joining the team and believes tonight’s start will help accelerate his reintegration into NHL-level play. The Golden Knights currently sit third in the Pacific Division with an 11-6-8 record, and the coaching staff hopes Hart’s addition will provide needed depth and spark in the crease.
Career Background
Before his suspension, Hart played for the Philadelphia Flyers during the 2023–24 season, posting a 12-9-3 record with a .906 save percentage and 2.80 GAA across 26 games. Over his NHL career with the Flyers, Hart has earned 96 wins, 93 losses, and 29 overtime losses in 227 games, carrying a 2.94 GAA and .906 save percentage. Drafted 48th overall in 2016, Hart entered the league with significant expectations as a top goaltending prospect.
A Critical Moment for Vegas
With the Golden Knights pushing to strengthen their position in the standings, Hart’s return may prove decisive. Vegas has been navigating roster adjustments and inconsistent performance in net, making tonight’s game a potential turning point as they face a Chicago team seeking to break out of a struggling season.
Analysts expect Hart to face considerable pressure as he steps into a starting role under intense public attention, but team insiders note his confidence and preparedness have grown significantly during his AHL stint.
Fans and commentators alike will watch closely to see whether Hart can stabilize Vegas’s goaltending and help propel the team toward a deeper postseason push.
