DENVER — Carter Hart made 30 saves in a 3-2 overtime victory over the Colorado Avalanche on Saturday, improving to 4-0 since returning from a three-month absence with a lower-body injury and strengthening his bid to be the Vegas Golden Knights’ starting goaltender for the playoffs.
Hart’s performance against the Presidents’ Trophy winners helped the Knights clinch a playoff berth and showcased his ability to handle high-pressure situations. He stopped a shorthanded breakaway by Brock Nelson and made a crucial left-pad save on Nathan MacKinnon with 3:47 left in regulation.
“I feel solid,” Hart said. “I think just right now, one day at a time. We can’t get ahead of ourselves here. We got two more games to finish off here.”
Since returning on March 30, Hart has posted a .928 save percentage and a 1.74 goals-against average, including wins over the Edmonton Oilers and Colorado. He has faced the two toughest teams remaining on the schedule, though the Oilers were without Leon Draisaitl and Zach Hyman.
“He’s been awesome,” center Jack Eichel said. “He’s made some incredible saves, some timely ones. He seems like he’s in a groove right now.”
Hart’s resurgence comes after a difficult stretch that included the injury and the fallout from the 2018 Hockey Canada sexual assault scandal, which led to him leaving the Philadelphia Flyers and turning himself into police. Coach John Tortorella, who previously coached Hart in Philadelphia, has praised his former netminder.
“It was probably pretty frustrating, getting injured after coming back,” Eichel said. “(He’s) playing so well for us. I know how hard he worked in his rehab to get back. So much credit to him on what he’s doing right now.”
Tortorella has not named a Game 1 starter, indicating he still wants to give Adin Hill playing time in the final two regular-season games. The Knights host the Winnipeg Jets on Monday before closing the schedule against the Dallas Stars. They still have a chance to secure home-ice advantage.
“They’ve both made some saves,” Tortorella said. “Which is a good thing at this time of year. We’ll see where we go from there.”
Hart acknowledged the support from his teammates and the organization. “We’ve got such a good group here. Everybody’s been so good to me. Every day is so much fun coming to the rink,” he said.
