Carter Hart out as Vegas makes last-minute goalie change on Friday night

Vegas Golden Knights goalie Carter Hart is not playing this Friday night against the New Jersey Devils due to a lower-body injury, with the team listing him as day-to-day.

Hart had just returned to the NHL on Tuesday after being recalled from AHL Henderson, making 27 saves in a shootout victory over the Chicago Blackhawks.

Hart was one of five 2018 Canadian World Junior players acquitted of sexual assault in July and became the first among them to sign an NHL contract. He inked a two-year, $4 million deal with Vegas after the league cleared the players to sign and play starting Dec. 1.

Hart’s absence on the road sparked some fan speculation, particularly among New Jersey supporters, who suggested the Golden Knights might be resting Hart to avoid the away crowd. However, SinBin points out that Vegas’ roster currently sits at 24 players, meaning the team had to recall Jesper Vikman from the AHL as an emergency backup. Without the recall, dressing Hart on Friday would have violated NHL roster rules.

"If Hart is not actually injured, tonight's roster would be illegal by NHL rules."

Vikman, who will back up Akira Schmid against the Devils, has taken part in eight games this season with Henderson, posting a 3.40 goals-against average and an .871 save percentage.

As Vegas begins a five-game road trip, Hart’s status will be closely monitored. While the team lists him as day-to-day, his absence already impacts roster management and raises questions among fans and analysts alike about the timing of his injury.

More details were provided by Jesse Granger during the game when he posted:

"The Golden Knights broadcast said that Carter Hart was injured in Tuesday’s game against Chicago. He finished that game, including OT and shootout. Then he was a full participant at practice two days later in NJ. Then today VGK recalled Jesper Vikman as an emergency call up to backup Schmid. It’s an odd timeline. Perhaps Bruce Cassidy will explain after the game."

The game against the Devils is the starting point of the longest road trip of 2025-26 for the Golden Knights, spanning five games. Over the course of the next week and a half, the Golden Knights will face the New York Rangers, New York Islanders, Philadelphia Flyers and Columbus Blue Jackets.