3 takeaways from Knights’ win: Carter Hart emotional after triumphant debut

The moment Shea Theodore’s winning goal hit the back of the net, a clad of gold sweaters made their way to the other crease to mob goaltender Carter Hart.

Hugs and cheers carried into the locker room. Before the media entered, it was the loudest the room has been in recent memory.

The Golden Knights win it in the shootout and everybody mobs Carter Hart for his 1st win in Vegas 🎰🚨 pic.twitter.com/Af8cgVOPoY

— Gino Hard (@GinoHard_) December 3, 2025

Standing in the locker room fielding hockey questions following a start for the first time in nearly two years, Hart paused during one of his answers to wipe tears from his right eye.

A night of emotion on multiple fronts was capped with Hart making 27 saves and helping the Knights defeat the Chicago Blackhawks 4-3 in a shootout Tuesday at T-Mobile Arena.

“It’s just good to be back playing,” Hart said.

First intro for the new goaltender. pic.twitter.com/do7La4iy24

— Danny Webster (@DannyWebster21) December 3, 2025

Hart made his first start since Jan. 20, 2024, when he was a member of the Philadelphia Flyers. He was charged days later with sexual assault, along with four other players, in an incident dating to 2018 involving Canada’s World Junior championship team.

Hart, Cal Foote, Alex Formenton, Dillon Dube and Michael McLeod were acquitted in July. Monday was the first day they could play NHL games, per the league’s ruling.

“I think skating out for the first time on the ice wearing a Golden Knights sweater, just an amazing feeling,” Hart said. “It didn’t really sink in until the national anthem. It’s kind of looking around, just that feeling that you’re back playing.”

That’s when the tears started to well up.

“It’s been a really difficult journey to get back,” he said. “Wouldn’t have been able to do it without my family and friends. Just so happy to be playing the game again.”

Hart stopped all six shots he faced in overtime to give the Knights a chance. He then went 3-for-4 in the shootout.

“He was excellent,” coach Bruce Cassidy said.

Defenseman Shea Theodore, who had two assists, scored the winning goal in the bottom of the fourth round for the Knights’ first win in extra time in their past eight tries.

Right wing Braeden Bowman scored the game-tying goal with 2:28 remaining, and left wing Ivan Barbashev had a goal and an assist for the Knights (12-6-8), who have won consecutive games for the first time since Nov. 18 to 20.

Here are three takeaways from the win:

1. Support for Hart

A handful of fans showed their support with signs pressed against the glass during warmups.

One read “I Have Hart for Carter” with hearts surrounding it. One female fan held one reading “Welcome Carter Hart” written on a yellow heart.

Another female fan had Hart’s name curved around a red heart in the center.

Few signs opposing Hart’s signing were seen. One read, “Keep hockey a happy place. Character off ice matters.”

Some of the signs for Carter Hart. pic.twitter.com/Y2JAZUrJGi

— Danny Webster (@DannyWebster21) December 3, 2025

The atmosphere seemed more subdued than usual. Part of that could have been because of the number of Blackhawks fans in attendance. If there was any opposition to Hart, it wasn’t known by way of the written word or emotional outbursts.

“He’s been working hard for us,” captain Mark Stone said. “Took extra shots after practice. Did whatever the guys wanted, really. When your teammate puts in that kind of work, that kind of effort to work his way back, you want to reward him. He rewarded us.”

2. Up-and-down start

The Knights gave Hart a lead 27 seconds in when Barbashev’s pass to center Jack Eichel deflected off Chicago defenseman Wyatt Kaiser’s stick and into the back of the net.

Chicago answered 56 seconds later when winger Oliver Moore zipped one far side to tie the score 1-1 at 1:23 on Hart’s second shot he faced.

“First one, maybe I was just a little bit excited, maybe overcommitted on the guy coming into the zone, but it happens,” Hart said.

He settled in as the game went on, showing off the athleticism and talent that made him a second-round pick by the Flyers in 2016.

Hart also aided in the Knights going 5-for-5 on the penalty kill. One of his best saves on the man advantage came on a glove save on Blackhawks center Connor Bedard from the right circle in the first period.

His outing didn’t come without challenges. In the second period, Hart went to play a puck, but his clearing attempt bounced off winger Tyler Bertuzzi. His shot fluttered over Hart and defenseman Noah Hanifin at 11:22 to give the Blackhawks a 2-1 lead.

YIKES Carter Hart passes it right into Bertuzzi who then puts it home 🚨

The Knights challenged the play for offsides and lost it. pic.twitter.com/2aTXSuXrpE

— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) December 3, 2025

Defenseman Ben Hutton scored his third goal of the season with 2:41 left in the middle of the period to tie the score 2-2.

“I think after that, just settled in a little bit and just got back to playing my game,” Hart said. “The guys did a really good job battling around the net front, tying up sticks and got some huge blocks.”

3. OT curse is lifted

Bedard, the Blackhawks’ leading scorer, gave his team a 3-2 lead 4:45 into the third on a wrister that beat Hart at the far post.

Bowman gave the Knights life when he tied the score late when he finished a rebound in transition.

Given how extra time had gone for the Knights this season, destiny wasn’t on their side.

Especially when Theodore’s stick broke during a lengthy defensive shift, putting the Knights essentially down a man. Hart made a pad save on Bedard moments later.

On the ensuing rush, Stone had a breakaway attempt stopped by Chicago goalie Spencer Knight.

“Nice to see us get a win in overtime,” Cassidy said. “That’s another big thing for the rest of the group, not only for (Hart). We’ve had a tough time with it, so we probably needed it as much as he needed it.”

Carter Hart: “It’s good to be back playing.” pic.twitter.com/FKHkuffCC0

— Danny Webster (@DannyWebster21) December 3, 2025

Contact Danny Webster at dwebster@reviewjournal.com. Follow @DannyWebster21 on X.