When thinking of the most important things for the Flyers to do before the season concludes. Some think of a big trade, make the playoffs and if they make it how far will they go, or form some consistency. I will not say either of those aren’t important, but restoring the old Carter Hart is far more important than any of those aforementioned things.
Carter Hart is a vital overall part to the Flyers organization. He is supposed to be the goalie of the future for an extended period of time. Last year he was dominant in the playoffs by posting a 9-5 record, two shutouts, a 2.29 GAA, and a .931 Save Percentage. Flyers fans haven’t seen that type of stellar goaltending since President Reagan was in office.
Hart has been anything like last season. He finished the 2019-20 season on a high by posting a 24-13-3 record, one shutout, a 2.42 GAA, and a .914 Save Percentage. Very good numbers indeed, however, this year it has been anything but blissful for the young 22-year-old netminder as he has posted an 8-9-4 record, a 3.92 GAA, and a .891 Save Percentage. Yes, the defense has been horrid and darn right lazy at times with turnovers a plenty, and multiple breakdowns in coverages. However, Hart has been getting beat over his glove hand a lot, and he was playing deeper in the net (Thus making him smaller), than we have all seen in the past.
Now by no means am I saying that Hart is bad or is horrible. I actually defend Hart, as he has earned that. It’s not all his fault when he is being faced with 3-on-1’s, or players wide open in the slot more often than not. In some occasions the team could have Bernie Parent or Martin Brodeur between the pipes, it wouldn’t matter the results would have been the same.
The young netminder in Hart can use Saturday as a stepping stone to return to his old form as he was great while making 22 saves in the 3-2 shootout loss, “I just came to practice every day not pouting, just having fun with the boys and competing and battling,” Hart said following the game on Saturday night. “Just showing up to work every day with my hard hat and my lunch pail.”
What a class act. He doesn’t fingers, doesn’t call anyone out, he takes all the blame even when it’s not all his fault for the Flyers downfall this season. Hart looked reminiscent of his old self this past Saturday night as mentioned above. He was making glove save after glove save, as the New York Islanders tried using their previous scouting reports against Hart. One major problem for the young Hart had was limited practice time with goalie coach Kim Dillabaugh, as the schedule was very rigorous at one point before his extended break that Head Coach Alain Vigneault gave him last week. Hart used this time effectively it appeared, and he was seen smiling in the post game presser. He looked like a young man that was having fun again, and an entirely different player than in previous weeks.
Whatever the case maybe, it is imperative for Hart to finish the season on a good note, regardless if the Flyers make the playoffs or not. He is too important, and far more important than the Flyers righting the ship. The sky is the limit for this young man, and we just have to realize he’s just 22-years-old, who is still learning his craft.
As far as Hart goes he needs to keep that five hole not as open as it is most of the the time
That goal by Marchant Tuesday is a perfect example.He didn’t deke him drop his shoulder to get him to move he just came in and knew the five hole would be there Good scouting by the Bruins.Maybe a new goalie coach is the answer.