Golden Knights’ Hart Shines in 4-3 Shootout Win Over Blackhawks

UPDATE: In a thrilling match, the Vegas Golden Knights secured a 4-3 shootout victory against the Chicago Blackhawks on October 24, 2023, highlighting Carter Hart’s impressive debut as goalie. The Golden Knights, who were struggling with a 1-8 record in games decided after regulation, turned the tide in a dramatic finish.

The decisive moment came when Pavel Dorofeyev and Shea Theodore scored during the shootout, ensuring Hart’s first NHL appearance in nearly two years was a success. Earlier, Braeden Bowman forced overtime with a goal just 2:28 left in the third period after he capitalized on his own rebound.

Bowman and Ivan Barbashev each contributed with a goal and an assist, while Ben Hutton also found the net. Hart, who faced 27 shots and made six saves in overtime, was a standout despite early challenges. He allowed a goal on the second shot he faced and misplayed a puck that led to a score by Tyler Bertuzzi.

Connor Bedard and Oliver Moore also scored for the Blackhawks, but Hart’s resilience shone through during the shootout where he stopped three of four attempts. His performance was met with joy from teammates, including a heartfelt embrace from Jack Eichel.

“Carter was huge for us in the shootout,” said Theodore, highlighting Hart’s impact on the game.

Hart’s journey back to the NHL comes after the league cleared him and four other 2018 Canada world junior hockey players to sign with clubs following their recent acquittal in July. The Golden Knights signed Hart to a two-year, $4 million contract on October 24, paving the way for this critical game.

Looking ahead, the Blackhawks will visit the Los Angeles Kings on Thursday, while the Golden Knights prepare for a challenging matchup against the New Jersey Devils on Friday, kicking off a five-game road trip against Eastern Conference teams.

Stay tuned for more updates as the NHL season progresses and the Golden Knights look to build on this momentum.