Carter Hart shrugged off Carolina Hurricanes fans’ “no means no” chants as “just noise” ahead of Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Final, where the Vegas Golden Knights are trying to extend their season after falling behind 3-2. Hart, back in his NHL role after being
Vegas arrived at Game 6 with its back against the wall, trying to stay alive down 3-2 in the Stanley Cup Final, and Carter Hart showed up ready to answer hard questions—starting with the noise from the stands.
During media availability on Saturday, June 13, Hart was asked about the “no means no” chants from Carolina Hurricanes fans during the three games in Raleigh, North Carolina. His response was immediate and dismissive.
“It’s just noise,” Hart said. “Both atmospheres, both buildings have been really loud and a lot of fun to play in. Yeah, just noise.”
Hart’s confidence was paired with a complicated personal timeline that has followed him into the playoffs. He was one of five players on the 2018 Canadian national junior team who faced trial in 2025 on a sexual assault charge. A judge in London. Ontario found them not guilty. and Justice Maria Carroccia said she didn’t find the accuser’s testimony in the 2018 case credible and that the prosecution didn’t prove its case.
The league later cleared players to return to the NHL, and Hart signed with the Vegas Golden Knights in October.
Game 6 is where the stakes become immediate. Hart will make his 22nd start of the playoffs, but the way the championship series has played out has been unforgiving: after a strong first three rounds, he has allowed four goals in every game of the Stanley Cup Final.
“I haven’t been at my best in this series,” Hart said. “I’ll be better next game and ready to go.”
He added that the scoreboard may reflect more than effort, pointing to how the series has turned at key moments.
“They’ve gotten some lucky bounces and there’s a few plays where I’ve got to make more saves but at the end of the day, I prepare the same way just like every other game and I’ll be ready to go.”
After Saturday’s schedule, Hart skipped the optional practice and instead worked with goalie coach Sean Burke on a different rink.
He said he feels good entering the critical matchup because the playoffs have never stopped moving.
“As as goaltender, you want to play every game and you want to be ready to go,” he said. “I’ve got a routine that I do and I follow it.”
The message from Vegas also came from behind the bench. Coach John Tortorella, who knows Hart from their days in Philadelphia, backed the goalie when asked after the Game 5 loss whether he considered switching to Adin Hill. Tortorella’s answer was blunt.
“Could be the stupidest question I’ve heard,” he said.
Tortorella said he has confidence in Hart and sees a better performance ahead.
“I know him,” Tortorella said. “I know there’s a better game in him. I’ve seen it throughout the playoffs. I think he’s a very good goalie. We’ve got to do a better job around him, too.”
In the end, Vegas will need Hart’s preparation to translate into sharper saves under a spotlight that includes both hostile chants and unforgiving game results—starting with Game 6 as the Knights try to force their way back into the series.
Carter Hart Vegas Golden Knights Carolina Hurricanes Stanley Cup Final Game 6 media availability “no means no” chants Adin Hill John Tortorella Sean Burke playoffs
Just noise lol. Fans always boo or chant whatever.
Okay but how is it “just noise” when it’s literally saying no means no? Like idk I feel like he’s minimizing it. And then the article jumps to that whole court thing… makes me side-eye the whole situation.
I mean if the judge said not guilty then people need to chill right? But also he’s letting in 4 goals each game in the Final, so maybe he should focus on that instead of talking about chants. Vegas down 3-2 is wild though, I swear this sport is rigged sometimes.
“No means no” chants… I thought that was about something else like consent in general, but then it says 2018 Canadian team trial and cleared in the NHL?? So like was it real or not real, because the headline makes it sound super serious. Also, “both buildings have been really loud” ok sure but maybe he’s ignoring what the fans are actually mad about. I’m confused, and he’s still giving up goals every game so he needs to prove it on the ice.