Anthony Mazziotti
Listen. Carter Hart, he’s our baby! He’s it, baby!
In his first NHL start, Hart stopped 20 of 22 shots to give the Flyers a 3-2 win over the Detroit Redwings.
It seems like a lifetime since Carter Hart was drafted 48th overall in the 2016 draft. Since he was drafted he was lauded as an elite goaltending prospect. Someone who could be the first good goalie since Ron Hextall in the ’80s and ’90s. Finally, the solution to the Flyers seemingly never ending goaltending problems was making a start. A new chapter was starting and every Flyers fan was on the edge of their seats in anticipation.
To start, the Flyers did something out of the ordinary. They got out to a 1-0 lead when Claude Giroux threw a beauty on net that James van Riemsdyk tipped home.
Just an absolutely silly tip by JvR there to give the Flyers the 1-0 lead. 2 penalties and a goal in the 1st period. JvR trying to dominate the scoresheet tonight pic.twitter.com/pQjOnMsxJX
— Jordie ? (@BarstoolJordie) December 19, 2018
Hart allowed his first goal in the second period on a Redwings power play. There really there wasn’t much he could do there.
Lot of traffic in front and Carter Hart gets scored on for the first time in his NHL career. As far as first goals against go, can’t fault him at all for this one. Especially after horribly dumb Lindblom penalty to give Detroit a powerplay here pic.twitter.com/48oSza1XKo
— Jordie ? (@BarstoolJordie) December 19, 2018
The Flyers put up back to back goals by Radko Gudas and Shayne Gostisbehere. They took a 3-1 lead into the third period.
The Redwings got another goal back just two minutes into the third period when the Flyers had a bad turnover. Again, not too much Hart could have done here.
If you turn the puck over at your own blue line, chances are you’re going to be digging the puck out of your own net. The Flyers have to lead the league in failed clears. pic.twitter.com/TJHyKjtS3d
— Jordie ? (@BarstoolJordie) December 19, 2018
Hart made every other save en route to a 3-2 win.
I’m actually speechless when it comes to talking about Hart’s debut. Seeing the kid play was like having a weight lifted off the fan base’s chest. He played a great game and held his own, albeit against an aggressively average Redwings team. The team played well around him and he gave them a chance to win by not allowing any soft goals. In his first game he really lived up to his junior level accolades, three-time WHL goaltender of the year, two-time CHL goaltender of the year and 2018 World Juniors gold medalist with a 1.81 GAA and .930 save percentage in six games.
For his performance in his first career game, the Flyers players awarded him with “The Helmet.”
Welcome to The Show. ??#DETvsPHI | #LetsGoFlyers pic.twitter.com/lHz3a7Gjks
— Philadelphia Flyers (@NHLFlyers) December 19, 2018
Hart played well and I see no reason why he shouldn’t start again on Thursday when the Flyers play the Nashville Predators. The competition will be stiff but you can’t go backwards now. The future is here and it’s time to roll with Hart. Sure, Hart is only 20 years old and he only has one NHL start under his belt – don’t try to reason with me. I’m riding a nice high after the kid brought some life to the fan base that’s been going through hell the past few weeks with the firing of Hextall and Hakstol in the midst of playing some pretty miserable hockey. Carter Hart is a beam of light and I couldn’t be happier for him and his family to get his first win. The first of many.
You can follow Anthony Mazziotti on Twitter (@AntMazziotti) and e-mail him at [email protected].
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