With six games left in the regular season and the Vegas Golden Knights trailing the Edmonton Oilers by three points for second place in the Pacific Division, the team suddenly has a surplus in net. Carter Hart returned Thursday and made 19 saves in a 6-3 win over the Calgary Flames, his first start since Jan. 8 after recovering from a lower-body injury.

“It felt good to get back in there,” Hart said. “Huge two points for us, and we played a good game and had a great third period.”

Hart allowed three goals on 22 shots, all on 2-on-1 rushes. “Obviously, there’s a little bit of rust to shake off when you haven’t played in a few months,” he said. “I think as the game went on, it felt better and better.”

The Knights now have three goalies on the active roster: Hart, Adin Hill, and Akira Schmid. Coach John Tortorella, who took over after Bruce Cassidy was fired Sunday, has no long-term plan. “I have no plan on how to attack it,” Tortorella said. “I plan on who the goalie is going to be the next game. That’s as far as I go.”

Hill remains the No. 1 option by contract, pedigree, and playoff history. Schmid brings reliability and consistency. Hart offers potential and upside, and Tortorella has a history with him from their time together in Philadelphia. “I love the kid,” Tortorella said. “We’ve had a lot of conversations. I think he’s handled himself so well through some pretty hard times for the past couple of years.”

Saturday’s game against the Oilers in Edmonton will provide the first clue about the pecking order. Hill made 22 saves in a 4-2 win over Vancouver on Monday and is expected to start, barring a shift. Hart is preparing for any opportunity: “Making the most of practice time that we have and being ready for every game, every start of every game.”