Carter Hart wins Golden Knights debut in shootout

Danny Webster, Las Vegas Review-Journal on Dec 3, 2025

Published in Hockey

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The winning goal crossed the net, and a clad of gold sweaters mobbed Carter Hart near the left faceoff circle.

In his first start in nearly two years, in a new era of his professional career and life, Hart did enough to get the Golden Knights a much-needed victory.

Hart finished with 27 saves — six of them in overtime — and the Golden Knights defeated the Chicago Blackhawks 4-3 in a shootout Tuesday at T-Mobile Arena.

It is Hart’s first NHL win since Jan. 15, 2024.

Hart made his first start since Jan. 20, 2024, when he was a member of the Philadelphia Flyers. He allowed five goals on 15 shots in a 7-4 loss to the Colorado Avalanche.

The 27-year-old was charged days later with sexual assault, along with four other players, in an incident dating to 2018 involving Canada’s World Junior championship team.

Hart, Cal Foote, Alex Formenton, Dillon Dube and Michael McLeod were acquitted in July. Monday was the first day they could play NHL games, per the league’s ruling.

Three starts in Henderson

Hart signed a two-year, $4 million contract with the Knights on Oct. 24. He went 1-2-0 in three starts with the Silver Knights on a conditioning loan.

“It was nice to go down to Henderson and get some game action,” Hart said Monday. “I’ve just been practicing for a year and a half, so it’s nice to get into a real game, different scenarios that you can’t replicate in practice.”

Hart stopped all six shots he faced in the extra session to give the Knights a chance. Defenseman Shea Theodore scored the winning goal in the bottom of the fourth round.

Right wing Braeden Bowman tied the score 3-3 with 2:28 remaining, and left wing Ivan Barbashev had a goal and an assist to help the Knights (12-6-8) snap a seven-game losing streak when the game reached extra time.

A handful of fans showed their support with signs pressed against the glass during warmups.

One read “I Have Hart for Carter” with hearts surrounding it. One female fan held one reading “Welcome Carter Hart” written on a yellow heart.

Another female fan had Hart’s name curved around a red heart in the center.

The atmosphere seemed more subdued than usual. Part of that could have been because of the number of Blackhawks fans in attendance. If there was any opposition to Hart, it wasn’t known by way of the written word or emotional word.

Hart sharp against power play

Once the game started, it was about what the Knights’ new goaltender could do on the ice.

Hart’s new team got him off to a good start 33 seconds in when Barbashev’s attempted pass to center Jack Eichel deflected off Blackhawks defenseman Wyatt Kaiser’s skate and past goaltender Spencer Knight.

But Hart let one get by on his second shot. Chicago winger Oliver Moore’s laser from the top of the right circle beat Hart far side to tie the score 1-1 56 seconds later.

After that, Hart settled in.

He was tested by Chicago’s power play, which went 0-for-5. One of Hart’s best saves was a glove stop on Blackhawks leading scorer Connor Bedard from the right dot on the man advantage.

Hart’s first mistake came midway through the second period. He came out of his crease to play the puck, but his clearing attempt bounced off Chicago’s Tyler Bertuzzi.

By the time Hart got back to his net, Bertuzzi’s knuckler shot trickled over him and defenseman Noah Hanifin for a 2-1 Chicago lead at 11:22. Defenseman Ben Hutton answered with 2:41 left in the frame to tie the score 2-2.

Bedard didn’t miss a second time, though. He danced around Theodore, and his quick release hit the top far corner 4:45 into the third to restore the Chicago lead.

At the end, Hart stood tall to give his team a chance. A lot is being put on Hart for a team that needs results.

He gave them the results Tuesday.