John Tortorella is in Stanley Cup form.
The Golden Knights coach lambasted a reporter who asked about the possibility of changing goaltenders with Las Vegas down 3-2 to the Hurricanes in the Stanley Cup Final.
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“Oh, for Christ, that could be the stupidest question I heard,” the fiery Tortorella said Thursday night after a 4-2 road loss in Game 5.
The reason for the question, though, is rather obvious.
Carter Hart has become the first goalie in Stanley Cup history to let up four-plus goals in the first five games of the series — allowing exactly four in each.
The Golden Knights are out of rope with Carolina now one win from the Stanley Cup after back-to-back victories in Games 4 and 5.
One would think the idea of making a change could be tantalizing for Tortorella, given that their opponent has found success with the switch.
John Tortorella at the Game 5 post-game press conference NHLI via Getty Images
Hurricanes coach Rod Brind’amour pulled Frederik Anderson in the middle of Game 4 with the Hurricanes trailing 4-0. Backup Brandon Bussi held strong before giving up the game-winner in overtime.
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He has since led the team to back-to-back wins.
Hart has played all 21 games this postseason for Las Vegas. He shut down one of the best offensive teams in the NHL in the Colorado Avalanche in the Western Conference finals in a shocking sweep.
Carter Hart warming up for Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Finals IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Backup Aidan Hill had a somewhat uninspiring regular season with a 3.04 goals against average in 27 appearances.
For Hart, it is just his first season back after two years away due to the Canada World Juniors sexual assault case that stemmed from an incident during the 2018 World Juniors championships.
After a lengthy trial, all players were found not guilty on July 24, 2025.
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Hart then signed a one-year deal with the Golden Knights.
Game 6 returns to Vegas on Sunday at 8 p.m. ET.
