The Vegas Golden Knights are grappling with a volatile goaltending situation as they embark on their longest road trip of the 2025-26 season. Injuries to key netminders Adin Hill and Carter Hart have forced reliance on Akira Schmid, who delivered a shutout against the New Jersey Devils. The team recalled Jesper Vikman as an emergency backup amid the uncertainty.
The Vegas Golden Knights' goaltending depth has been tested severely, resembling a triage unit rather than a standard rotation. Adin Hill, the team's franchise starter, has missed 19 games due to a lingering lower-body injury, placing significant pressure on the rest of the roster to maintain defensive structure under head coach Bruce Cassidy.
Carter Hart, signed to a two-year deal in late October following his acquittal in the 2018 World Junior case, made a brief but impactful return. In his NHL debut on December 2 against the Chicago Blackhawks, Hart stopped 27 shots in a 4-3 shootout victory, appearing composed despite nearly two years away from professional play. However, just two days later, after full participation in practice, Hart was listed as day-to-day with a lower-body injury ahead of the game against the New Jersey Devils, prompting questions about the timing.
Akira Schmid has emerged as the stabilizing force. Acquired from the Devils in June 2024, Schmid posted a 24-save shutout against his former team, preventing New Jersey from scoring despite extended pressure. His season record stands at 10-2-4 with a .903 save percentage, providing league-average reliability and timely stops in Cassidy's system that emphasizes middle-ice protection.
To address the depth concerns, the Golden Knights called up Jesper Vikman from the Henderson Silver Knights of the American Hockey League. Vikman's AHL performance this season has been challenging, with nearly 3.5 goals against per game and a save percentage below NHL standards, underscoring the risks if Schmid encounters issues during the five-game road trip.
General manager Kelly McCrimmon's aggressive approach has kept the team afloat, but the crease remains precarious for a squad with Stanley Cup ambitions. The road trip will test whether Schmid can sustain his form and Hart returns to offer relief.