Tortorella Places Hart in Game 6, Karlsson Out — Hockey Ce Soir

Hockey ce soir brings Carter Hart back in the spotlight, with John Tortorella saying the goaltender is ready to play and will start Game 6. William Karlsson will not be available Sunday, leaving the Golden Knights short in a 3-2 series deficit after Thursday’s 4-2 loss.

Hart Gets Game 6

Tortorella told reporters after the optional practice at the team training complex that Hart is ready and will start the sixth game. He also used one short line to frame the move: “Carter est prêt à jouer.”

The assignment comes after Hart was beaten for at least four goals in each of the first five games of the final. Through five starts, he has a 3.70 goals-against average and a.856 save percentage, a sharp drop from the 2.22 goals-against average and.924 save percentage he carried into the final.

Karlsson Misses Sunday

Karlsson left the previous game in the second period after a hard hit by Sean Walker, and Tortorella said he will not be able to help the Knights on Sunday. Game 6 is set for T-Mobile Arena, with the series hanging at 3-2.

Brayden McNabb backed Hart after the practice, saying, “Nous avons toute la confiance au monde en Carter.” The message matches the decision on the crease: Hart gets the ball, and the Knights have to answer without Karlsson in an elimination game.

Hart also addressed the final for the first time and did not hide from his own line of work. “Je n’ai pas été à mon meilleur dans cette série,” he said, before adding, “Je serai meilleur au prochain match.” Sunday gives him the chance to turn that into a result before the series can reach a seventh game.