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The Vegas Golden Knights have spent much of the playoffs in control, but they have their backs against the wall after back-to-back losses in the Stanley Cup Final.
The Carolina Hurricanes flipped Vegas' 2-1 series lead into a 3-2 deficit with a win on the road followed by a win in Raleigh, raising questions about Golden Knights goalie Carter Hart.
Carolina has already switched goaltenders, with Brandon Bussi assuming the starting role as Frederik Andersen's status continues to be shrouded in mystery. Could Vegas be next?
Here's what you need to know about a possible goalie switch for the Golden Knights.
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Will the Golden Knights bench Carter Hart?
Hart has struggled mightily in the Stanley Cup Final after a dominant showing against the Avalanche in the Western Conference Final, but coach John Tortorella doesn't appear to be keen on making a goalie change five games into the Stanley Cup Final.
When asked by Daily Faceoff's Jonny Lazarus whether he considered benching Hart in the third period on Thursday, Tortorella responded, "That could be the stupidest question I've ever heard."
— Nick Alberga (@thegoldenmuzzy) June 12, 2026Unless Tortorella is keeping a major decision close to the vest, he doesn't appear to be considering benching Hart for Game 6.
Before Game 5, Tortorella flatly said, "not at all," when asked if he was concerned about Hart. The former Flyers goalie has been a massive factor in the Golden Knights' surge under Tortorella, but the Stanley Cup Final has brought him back down to Earth with at least four goals allowed in each of the first five games.
MORE: 2026 Stanley Cup Final schedule
Carter Hart Stanley Cup final stats
Hart has allowed four goals in each of his five starts in the Stanley Cup Final,:
- Games: 5
- Shots against: 139
- Saves: 119
- Goals allowed: 20
- Save percentage: .856
Hart has made the wrong kind of history in this series, becoming the first goalie to allow at least four goals in each of the first four — and now five — games of a Stanley Cup Final. The Golden Knights have picked him up enough to win two of those five games, but winning the next two will be a monumental challenge if Hart doesn't settle in soon.
With a save percentage of only .856, Hart is nowhere near his .922 mark from the first three rounds of the playoffs. The 27-year-old has allowed more goals in five Stanley Cup Final games than he did in 10 games between the West semifinals and Western Conference Final.
What did John Tortorella say about benching Carter Hart?
Tortorella quickly brushed off a question about potentially benching Hart after Game 5, telling reporters, "That could be the stupidest question I've ever heard."
Not only does Tortorella appear to be sticking with Hart, but he seems to be fully confident in him. After Game 5, Tortorella pledged, "We'll be back here," in what can be taken as a guarantee of a Game 6 win and a return to Raleigh for Game 7.
Who is Carter Hart's backup?
Hart is backed up by Adin Hill, who hasn't gotten any ice time in these playoffs but was in net when the Golden Knights won the Stanley Cup Final in 2023 and had a .932 save percentage during that playoff run.
The 30-year-old Hill took a big step back this season, posting an .870 save percentage and 3.04 GAA across 27 starts.
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