Golden Knights Face Goalie Conundrum with Hart's Return

Three goalies on the active roster creates a tricky situation for coach Tortorella

Apr. 3, 2026 at 10:04pm

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A cubist-style painting depicting a hockey goaltender making a save, with the player's form broken down into sharp, overlapping geometric shapes in the Golden Knights' team colors of gold, steel gray, and red.The Golden Knights' crowded crease creates a complex puzzle for coach Tortorella to solve as the playoffs approach.Las Vegas Today

The Vegas Golden Knights have a crowded crease with the return of goaltender Carter Hart, who made his first start in nearly three months on Thursday. Coach John Tortorella says he has no set plan on how to manage the three-goalie situation, leaving it to be decided game-by-game as the Knights battle for playoff positioning.

Why it matters

The Golden Knights' goaltending situation has been a point of emphasis all season, with Adin Hill, Akira Schmid, and now Carter Hart all vying for the starting role. Tortorella's open-ended approach could create uncertainty, but also allows him flexibility to ride the hot hand down the stretch.

The details

Hart made 19 saves in his return, allowing 3 goals on 22 shots in the Knights' 6-3 win over the Calgary Flames. While a bit rusty, Hart showed flashes of the talent that made him a prized offseason acquisition. Hill has been the de facto No. 1 lately, but Schmid has also impressed with his reliability. Tortorella says he will take the goalie situation game-by-game, rather than committing to a set rotation.

  • Carter Hart returned to the lineup on Thursday, April 2, 2026 after missing nearly 3 months with a lower-body injury.
  • The Golden Knights face a pivotal matchup against the Edmonton Oilers on Saturday, April 4, 2026.

The players

Carter Hart

The 27-year-old goaltender joined the Golden Knights in the offseason and is now healthy after missing significant time due to injury.

Adin Hill

The veteran goaltender has been the primary starter for the Golden Knights this season, but now faces increased competition with Hart's return.

Akira Schmid

The young goaltender has provided reliable backup play for the Golden Knights, adding to the team's depth at the position.

John Tortorella

The Golden Knights' head coach says he has no set plan for managing the three-goalie situation, instead taking it game-by-game.

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What they’re saying

“I have no plan on how to attack it. I plan on who the goalie is going to be the next game. That's as far as I go.”

— John Tortorella, Head Coach, Golden Knights

“It felt good to get back in there. Huge two points for us, and we played a good game and had a great third period.”

— Carter Hart, Goaltender, Golden Knights

What’s next

The Golden Knights' goaltending situation will become clearer after their pivotal matchup against the Edmonton Oilers on Saturday, April 4, 2026. Adin Hill is expected to get the start in that game, but Tortorella could opt to give Hart another chance to prove himself.

The takeaway

The Golden Knights' three-goalie dilemma is a unique challenge, but Tortorella's open-ended approach allows him flexibility to ride the hot hand down the stretch as the team battles for playoff positioning. How the rotation shakes out could be a key factor in the Knights' postseason push.