Carter Hart returned to the Golden Knights lineup after a month-long absence due to a left leg injury, delivering 19 saves in a 6-3 win over the Calgary Flames. His performance marked a critical moment for Vegas, as he helped the team overcome a three-goal deficit in the third period. Hart acknowledged the challenge of regaining form, stating, "There's a little bit of rust to shake off," but praised his team's defensive efforts.

Coach John Tortorella, in his second game since taking over, commended Hart's resilience, noting, "He made some key saves at key times." The activation follows Hart's return to the NHL after a two-year hiatus, during which he signed a $4 million two-year contract in October 2025. His journey includes a 2018 Canada world junior hockey player acquittal in a sexual assault case, which allowed him to rejoin the league by December 1. With Adin Hill as the starter and Akira Schmid on the roster, Vegas now has three goalies, though Tortorella emphasized no fixed plan for rotating them.

Hart, who previously played for Tortorella in Philadelphia, expressed excitement about the coach's impact, calling him "a good fit here.".