Carter Hart is expected to make his Vegas Golden Knights return since suffering a lower-body injury on January 8 against the Columbus Blue Jackets. It's a welcome return for a goaltender who's seen plenty of change in the past couple of months. In comes a new head coach and the team's seen a sudden slide down the standings. In short, things are looking no bueno for the Golden Knights right now.
What's more is that Hart himself hasn't been the most spectacular goaltender. He has a GAA of 3.28 and a save percentage of .871 this season. So, the objective for Thursday's game against the Flames is simple: win.
Well, obviously. I mean, isn't that the objective of 31 other teams in the NHL? What are you even doing in the league if that isn't your objective? Like, let's be serious for a minute while we're talking about who's starting in net on Thursday.
But let's get into more detail about what Hart must do for the Golden Knights against Calgary. What must the former Flyers netminder do specifically to ensure that Vegas gets another win and moves closer to the playoffs?
How Carter Hart can win Thursday's game for the Golden Knights against the Flames
The one thing that has stood out from the homestand—and the season, in general—has been the slow starts. In fact, the team hasn't scored in the first period during the current homestand. They've been outscored by a score of 3-0 during said homestand, leaving fans concerned about the team's overall future.
What better way to do that than to dig in and use your lateral movements to your advantage? That's where Hart shines the brightest, for he's not the biggest hockey goaltender out there. He makes up for this in quickness and intelligence, taking up space in the most efficient matter.
Of course, this is also contingent on the team not making mental errors to start the game. That's easier said than done, considering the Golden Knights have 16.05 giveaways per game (eighth-most in the NHL this season). Still, when your team screws up, it helps to pick up the slack.
That's what will also be required from the team for the season's remainder. There are no excuses for the team heading down the stretch. You have a new head coach in tow who's trying to get some emotion out of you. If Hart doesn't have a strong game tonight, well, the torches and the pitchforks will be out and about after the game.