Photo: FlyersNation
The Philadelphia Flyers announced prior to Tuesday’s game against the Tampa Bay Lightning (7 PM ET, ESPN+) that starting goaltender Carter Hart has left the team indefinitely for personal reasons.
The 25-year-old is 12-9-3 with a .906 save percentage, 2.80 goals-against average, and a shutout in 26 games this season.
Per Philadelphia Flyers General Manager, Daniel Briere:
“Carter Hart has requested and been granted an indefinite leave of absence citing personal reasons. The club will have no further comment at this time.” pic.twitter.com/jC1GyxcKWR
— Philadelphia Flyers (@NHLFlyers) January 23, 2024
The team also placed right-wing Owen Tippett on injured reserve and recalled goaltender Cal Petersen from the AHL’s Lehigh Valley Phantoms. Petersen has allowed seven goals on 67 shots (.896) over two NHL starts and gone 5-8-2 with an .890 save percentage and 3.26 goals-against average in 15 AHL games after getting acquired from the Los Angeles Kings in June.
With Hart out, Sam Ersson (12-6-3, .909 save percentage, 2.36 goals-against average, three shutouts in 22) appears to be taking the reins in net in Philadelphia, who has lost consecutive games in regulation.
The team ranks third in the Metropolitan Division with a .596 points percentage (25-16-6 record) and leads the Washington Capitals, who have three games in hand on them, by six points in the standings.
By Harrison Brown
