Carolina Hurricanes fans have made their feelings known to Golden Knights goaltender Carter Hart during the Stanley Cup Final, but Hart says the chants of “no means no!” are not affecting his play.
“It’s just noise,” Hart said Saturday. “Both atmospheres, both buildings, have been really loud and just a lot of fun to play in. It’s just noise.”
The chants, referencing Hart’s involvement in the Hockey Canada sexual assault trial, began in Game 1 at Lenovo Center and grew louder through Game 5, a 4-2 Hurricanes win on Thursday. Hart was acquitted in July along with four other players after being charged in January 2024. He was reinstated by the NHL on Oct. 15 and signed a two-year, $4 million contract with the Knights one week later.
Hart has allowed four goals in each of the five Final games, posting an .856 save percentage and 3.70 goals-against average. He became the first goaltender to allow four or more goals in each of the first five games of a Final. Despite the struggles, Knights coach John Tortorella expressed confidence in Hart.
“Pretty self-explanatory from the other night,” Tortorella said. “He’s ready to go.”
Hart did not practice with the team Saturday, instead working with goalie coach Sean Burke. Adin Hill and Akira Schmid were the only goalies on the main rink. The Knights trail the series 3-2 and face elimination in Game 7 at T-Mobile Arena on Sunday.
“I haven’t been my best this series,” Hart said. “I’ll be better next game.”
