John Tortorella Backs Carter Hart as Vegas Seeks Playoff Advantage Vegas Golden Knights head coach John Tortorella reaffirmed his decision to start goaltender Carter Hart in the team’s first-round playoff series against the Utah Mammoth, despite a recent decline in Hart’s statistical performance. The 27-year-old netminder, who entered Game 6 of the series facing mounting pressure to stabilize the defense, remains the team’s primary starter as the Knights aim for their second Stanley Cup title. Tortorella’s confidence in Hart is rooted in their long-standing professional relationship, dating back to their time with the Philadelphia Flyers, and his belief in Hart’s mental toughness and ability to handle the high-stakes environment of the postseason. Hart’s performance during the playoffs has shown a marked contrast to his earlier form. Initially, he posted a strong .935 save percentage and a 2.56 goals-against average in the opening matches. However, newer data from hockey news outlets indicates a significant drop in his effectiveness, with Hart now ranking 16th among postseason goaltenders at a .888 save percentage and a 3.02 goals-against average. Despite these numbers, Tortorella dismissed concerns about Hart’s recent struggles, emphasizing that the goaltender’s ability to compartmentalize setbacks and prepare for each game is a defining trait of a professional in the league. “The most important position in the game is the goaltender,” Tortorella said, highlighting the unique psychological challenges of the role. “You’re kind of on an island out there, in a team sport. That’s who he is. I think Carter has the ability to put things away and get ready to play the next day.#utah_mammoth #vegas_golden_knights #john_tortorella #carter_hart #devan_dubnyk
