Carter Hart Rebounding From Rough Sophomore Season

Carter Hart seems to be singing a different tune at the start of this season compared to last. Back in January of 2021 began a year in which Hart likely wants to forget. He’s not the only one. While not quite night and day, there is a noticeable difference in how Hart looks between the pipes this season as opposed to last. The confidence appears to be back. The positioning is much more sound than last season as well. While not completely in the rear-view, it appears Hart is speeding away from the 2020/21 version of himself.

It’s difficult to put your thumb on the reasoning behind his 180 in performance. Could be more vast competition as opposed to just the Metropolitan division. It could be a full off-season. It may even be the fact that he’s getting more practice compared to last season. Whatever it may be, Hart appears to have righted the ship.

The first six starts of this season have shown us that Hart is ready to get back to the Carter Hart we saw take over in the 2019/20 playoff bubble. Whether it lasts is another discussion, but it’s fair to say he’s had solid start to the 2021/22 campaign. Comparing and contrasting it to his 2020/21 season start really puts it into perspective.

Carter Hart’s First Five Games in 2020/21

1. 1/13 v. PIT – W – 31/34 – .912 save percentage – 3 GA in 59:45 for a 3.01 GAA
2. 1/15 v. PIT – W – 31/33 – .939 save percentage – 2 GA in 59:50 for a 2.01 GAA
3. 1/18 v. BUF – L – 18/22 – .818 save percentage – 4 GA in 28:09 for an 8.53 GAA
4. 1/21 @ BOS – SOL – 39/43 – .907 save percentage – 4 GA in 65:00 for a 3.69 GAA
5. 1/23 @ BOS – L – 20/26 – .769 save percentage – 6 GA in 60:00 fora 6.00 GAA

Carter Hart First Five Games in 2021/22

1. 10/15 v. VAN – SOL – 35/39 – .897 save percentage – 4 GA in 63:27 for a 3.78 GAA
2. 10/18 v. SEA – W – 23/24 – .958 save percentage – 1 GA in 60:00 for a 1.00 GAA
3. 10/23 v. FLA – L – 27/30 – .900 save percentage – 3 GA in 58:30 for a 3.08 GAA
4. 10/27 @ EDM – W – 34/37 – .919 save percentage – 3 GA in 60:00 for a 3.00 GAA
5. 10/30 @ CGY – L – 32/35 – .914 save percentage – 3 GA in 59:06 for a 3.05 GAA

The only real similarity there is between the two seasons is Hart’s record (2-2-1). Otherwise, there are a lot of differences to pick apart here. For starters, Hart was noticeably better in the two home games last season compared to the road games. At home last season, Hart stopped 80 of 89 shots for a .899 save percentage and 3.66 goals against average. On the road, Hart managed to stop 59 of 69 shots for a .855 save percentage and 4.80 goals against average.

This season, Hart’s stats don’t show the stark contrast they did last season. While the sample size is only five games, it’s encouraging to see the gap closing on his home and away stats. So far this season at home, Hart is 1-1-1. He’s stopped 85 of 93 for a .914 save percentage and 2.64 goals against average. On the road, he’s posted a 1-1-0 record en route to stopping 66 of 72 for a .917 save percentage and 3.02 goals against average. Carter Hart has flattened the curve between his home and away performances quicker than the US has with COVID.

Stats aside, there’s an abundant difference in Hart’s confidence as well it would seem. He shook off a shootout loss to the Vancouver Canucks and defeated the Seattle Kraken three nights later. In that contest, Hart allowed one goal on 24 shots. After the loss on October 23rd to Florida, Hart brushed it off and followed it up with a stellar performance in net against Edmonton, stopping all but three shots on 37 attempts. Last season, Hart followed up the Buffalo loss on January 18th with a shootout loss and regulation loss to Boston in a matter of five days.

What’s the Difference?

There are a lot of factors that could contribute to Carter Hart’s success this season as opposed to last. For starters, he has a much better defensive unit in front of him. The additions of Keith Yandle, Rasmus Ristolainen, and Ryan Ellis when healthy have surely helped Hart out when manning the crease. While Nate Seeler may not be the perfect defenseman to plug in for Ellis, Hart is still performing at a level that we didn’t see last season.

Another factor is absolutely his confidence. Not only his confidence, but the confidence instilled in him by the fanbase. For years, fans were conditioned to shutter when the opposition had a prime scoring opportunity. Any type of high-danger chance was met with a wince. That feeling dissolved when Carter Hart took over in net. However, it reared its ugly head once again last season during Hart’s tumultuous year.

After confident outings against Seattle, Edmonton, and even Arizona earlier this week, that feeling has subsided for the moment. Hart looks to be working out the kinks with his positioning and is glowing confidence more and more with every save he makes. The game against Edmonton was a prime example of that, going up against two of the premier forwards in the NHL in Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl.

Another variable that could factor in could be the amount of practice that Hart is getting. It’s no secret that last season, practice time was scarce due to the restrictions in place due to COVID-19. With regular practices resuming, Hart has plenty of time to refine his game with Kim Dillabaugh during their skate time.

One more factor that could play a role in Hart returning to form could be the amount of time between games. Last season, Hart played his first five games in 10 days. This season, Hart played his first five games in 15 games. While it may only be five games, that’s an average of an extra day’s rest between each game. In the grand scheme of things, that could make a world of difference not just in performance, but the mental aspect of the game as well.

The Wrap

Whatever Carter Hart is doing different this season, he should keep doing it. He’s been playing confident hockey thus far and appears to be positioned to sustain that level of play. It’s a good sign if the Flyers want to make some noise this season with their completely revamped roster. The pieces are in place, and the Flyers could, in fact, go as far as Hart is willing to take them. If that’s the case, Hart’s play as of late could take this team further than many originally thought at the beginning of the season.

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