Golden Knights Finalize Goalie Choice Ahead of Crucial Match
The Vegas club closed the regular season atop the Pacific Division. They finished with 95 points and a 39-26-17 record.
Late surge under Tortorella
Head coach John Tortorella’s group ran hot down the stretch. Vegas went 7-0-1 to end the season.
That form arrived just before the playoffs. The timing gave the team momentum heading into the postseason.
Ongoing goaltending storyline
Goaltending has been a constant subplot this year. Vegas rotated multiple netminders, at times using up to four goalies.
The arrival of Carter Hart, following his NHL reinstatement, added to the attention. Hart returned from a lower-body injury that cost him about three months.
Tortorella’s rotation approach
Tortorella managed the crease on a game-to-game basis. He left the longer-term starter decision open until the final days.
Local reporter Danny Webster noted the coach planned starts one game at a time. The rotation continued through the last regular-season contests.
Starter named for Game 1
The choice for the opening playoff game was revealed Sunday morning. Hart earned the starting role, according to the Las Vegas Review-Journal.
His recent form argued the case. Since March 30, Hart posted a .928 save percentage and a 1.74 goals-against average.
- Season record since return: 11-3-3 overall.
- Full-season save percentage: .891.
- Full-season goals-against average: 2.71.
- Most recent game: 22 saves on 23 shots in a 4-1 overtime win over the Seattle Kraken.
As the postseason begins, the Golden Knights must finalize a goalie choice for a crucial match. The start in net goes to a hot Hart.
Series opener details
Game 1 against the Utah Mammoth is scheduled for Sunday. Puck drop is set for 10 p.m. ET.
This article first appeared on Filmogaz.com on Apr 19, 2026.
