Golden Knights Coach Confident in Hart Despite Playoff Struggles Golden Knights head coach John Tortorella has publicly reaffirmed his unwavering belief in goaltender Carter Hart, despite the netminder’s struggles in the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs. Tortorella, who has guided Hart through three and a half seasons with the team, emphasized that the 27-year-old’s ability to recover from setbacks and prepare for the next game remains a key strength. However, Hart’s performance in the postseason has raised concerns, as he ranks 16th among NHL goaltenders in save percentage (.888) and goals-against average (3.02). Tortorella’s confidence in Hart is rooted in his perceived growth over the years, though the coach acknowledged the goaltender’s challenges. “I think he’s able to put it away and that’s what a goalie has to do,” Tortorella said, highlighting Hart’s capacity to bounce back from poor stretches. The coach also noted that Hart’s mental resilience is critical, as he must avoid overthinking during moments of struggle. Hart’s performance has been partially buoyed by the Golden Knights’ offensive output, which ranks fourth in the postseason with an average of 3.40 goals per game. However, the team’s defensive struggles have offset this strength, as they allow 3.60 goals against per game—ranked fourth-worst in the playoffs. This balance has created a precarious situation for Hart, who must rely on his goaltending to compensate for the team’s defensive vulnerabilities. The Golden Knights’ reliance on their offense has been evident in recent games, with Hart benefiting from high-scoring victories. In their last two wins, the team scored five goals each time, but the Utah Mammoth limited them to just two goals in the previous two contests.#utah_mammoth #stanley_cup_playoffs #john_tortorella #carter_hart #golden_knights
