LAS VEGAS (AP) — The Golden Knights find themselves back in the Stanley Cup Final spotlight, with particular attention focused on goaltender Carter Hart and his controversial journey back to hockey’s biggest stage.
Hart’s stellar play has been instrumental in Vegas reaching the Cup Final for the third time in nine seasons as they pursue their second championship in four years. Three playoff opponents have been unable to crack his defensive prowess, leaving Carolina — who enters with a 12-1 playoff record — as the final team standing between Hart and hockey’s ultimate prize when the series begins Tuesday in Raleigh, North Carolina.
The goaltender’s return to professional hockey sparked debate about whether he should be permitted to compete. Hart was among five players from Canada’s 2018 world junior team who were cleared of sexual assault charges this past July. League officials determined these players could sign contracts beginning October 15 and return to game action starting December 1. Hart inked a two-year, $4 million deal with Vegas and has focused forward since.
Hart has become a legitimate contender for the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP. While his media availability has been restricted in recent months, he will likely field questions regarding the legal case prior to the opening game.
Vegas supporters embraced him immediately, applauding his first ice appearance on December 2 against Chicago, with some fans displaying supportive signage. The enthusiasm has intensified throughout the team’s championship run, as Hart now receives some of the loudest cheers during pregame introductions at home contests.
“Everybody here has been so awesome,” Hart said after the Golden Knights swept Colorado in the Western Conference Final. “You see it every day with the fans. They show up at the rink and our practices. The support that we get is unbelievable. They’re just so excited about the Vegas Golden Knights, and I’m so blessed to be here.”
The Nevada franchise may have provided an ideal landing spot for Hart’s comeback.
Vegas operates as an organization willing to pursue aggressive moves in pursuit of victory. The team also features an experienced locker room, and Hart benefits from playing under a coach familiar with his abilities who strongly supports both his character and goaltending skills. John Tortorella previously coached Hart in Philadelphia and believed the Flyers were developing into serious contenders during the 2023-24 campaign when the league suspended Hart alongside the other four players connected to the controversy.
When Vegas dismissed Bruce Cassidy with eight games remaining and installed Tortorella as replacement, Hart gained a trusted advocate behind the bench.
“I think he’s a strong kid mentally,” Tortorella said. “I certainly watched him when he came into the organization and played in his first couple of games, and I watched him play in an overtime game where he played really well. He’s dialed in … He was growing tremendously in Philly until he had to step out of the league, and he’s right back at it.”
Cassidy had been utilizing Adin Hill, who guided the Golden Knights to their 2023 Cup victory, during the season’s final stretch. Among Tortorella’s initial decisions was installing Hart as the primary netminder.
“I loved playing for him in Philly,” Hart said. “Super happy he’s here.”
Hart’s presence in Vegas was anything but guaranteed last summer.
He was among the junior players facing charges in 2024 related to an incident in London, Ontario, from six years prior. The presiding judge determined prosecutors failed to meet conviction standards and ruled the allegations lacked sufficient credibility to support the charges.
The NHL completed its own review in 2022, and following the players’ legal exoneration, the league announced their reinstatement. With officials describing the players’ conduct as “deeply troubling and unacceptable,” teams showed little urgency in pursuing their services.
The Hurricanes evaluated signing Hart and Michael McLeod but ultimately declined. Vegas reached a different conclusion regarding Hart, welcoming him to the organization and later releasing a statement about remaining “committed to the core values that have defined our organization from its inception.”
Hart delivered his own statement to media members at the time, expressing his desire “to show the community my true character and who I am and what I’m about.”
His return to competition didn’t unfold as Hart had hoped.
He posted a 5-3-3 record with a 3.23 goals-against average and .874 save percentage, though performance issues weren’t his primary concern. Hart sustained a lower-body injury during a January 8 contest against Columbus, sidelining him for nearly three months.
Vegas struggled with inconsistent goaltending as Hill and Akira Schmid essentially split responsibilities. Even with Hart’s expected late-season return, few anticipated the Golden Knights could depend on their goaltending corps.
Tortorella recognized different potential, starting Hart in six of the season’s final eight contests. Hart responded with a 6-0 record, 1.67 GAA and .930 save percentage.
The starting goaltender question was suddenly resolved.
“He (spends) a long day at the rink with his preparation and making sure he’s dialied (in),” defenseman Shea Theodore said. “It’s just fun to watch.”
Hart has maintained his excellent form throughout the playoffs.
He owns a 12-4 record with 2.22 GAA and .924 save percentage. Hart has captured six consecutive starts, including sweeping Colorado despite facing a team that led the league with 3.63 goals per game but managed just 1.75 against Hart and Vegas’s defensive unit.
“I think he’s just been getting more and more confident each game, each round he’s played,” forward Brett Howden said. “There’s a lot of momentum in these rounds of games. Obviously, it’s going to go back and forth. I feel like he does an unbelievable job of keeping us in the game. He’ll bail us out if we need to be bailed out.”
The upcoming challenge presents no relief, as Carolina outshot Montreal 139-67 during the Eastern Conference Final’s final four games. Hurricanes goaltender Frederik Andersen has delivered outstanding playoff performance with 1.41 GAA and .931 save percentage.
An Andersen-led Cup victory would likely result in his Conn Smythe Trophy selection.
Hart recognizes the task ahead.
“I have a lot of work to do,” Hart said. “We’ve just got to prepare for the next game. We’ll be ready for Game 1.”
