Carter Hart made a victorious and emotional NHL return, backstopping the Vegas Golden Knights to a 4–3 shootout win over the Chicago Blackhawks on Tuesday night.
Hart, playing his first NHL game in nearly two years, stopped 27 shots and turned aside three of four shootout attempts, helping Vegas improve on its troublesome post-regulation record. The Golden Knights had entered the night just 1–8 in games decided after regulation.
Pavel Dorofeyev and Shea Theodore scored in the shootout to seal the win.
Bowman Forces OT, Vegas Rallies Late
Rookie Braeden Bowman delivered the clutch equalizer, batting in his own rebound with 2:28 left to force overtime. Bowman and Ivan Barbashev each recorded a goal and an assist, while Ben Hutton added a goal and Theodore contributed two assists.
Chicago Pushes Early, Hart Settles In
For Chicago, Tyler Bertuzzi had a goal and an assist, with Connor Bedard and Oliver Moore also finding the back of the net. Spencer Knight made 25 saves in the loss.
Hart surrendered a goal on Chicago’s second shot of the game — a Moore wrister from the right circle — and later misplayed a puck that led directly to Bertuzzi’s goal. Bedard beat him with a precision shot early in the third to put Chicago ahead 3–2.
But Hart locked in when it mattered, delivering a standout overtime and stabilizing performance in the shootout. He shared a long, emotional embrace with Jack Eichel after securing the win.
A Return Two Years in the Making
This was Hart’s first appearance since leaving the Flyers. After he and four other players were acquitted in July in connection with allegations dating back to 2018, the NHL permitted teams to sign them. Vegas signed Hart on Oct. 24 to a two-year, $4 million deal, paving the way for Tuesday’s highly anticipated debut.
A loud and supportive crowd greeted Hart throughout the night.
Up Next
-
Blackhawks: Visit the Los Angeles Kings on Thursday.
-
Golden Knights: Begin a five-game Eastern Conference road swing at the New Jersey Devils on Friday
