Flyers' Hart feeling recent struggles: 'It's just shitty right now'

Philadelphia Flyers goaltender Carter Hart is well aware he's playing through one of the worst stretches of his young career.

"I just need to find more ways to stop pucks. Just go out and play," Hart said, according to The Athletic's Charlie O'Connor. "Not overthink things and just trust my game. It's just shitty right now. I don't feel like myself, and I've got to find a way to get back into playing the game that I love and trusting the game I've built."

The 22-year-old was pulled from Tuesday's contest against the Buffalo Sabres after allowing three goals on eight shots in the first period. Brian Elliott saved 11 of the 12 shots he faced in relief while helping to backstop the Flyers to a comeback win.

Hart had dropped four of his last five appearances prior to Tuesday's game, including a matchup against the Boston Bruins on Feb. 21 when he was yanked after allowing six goals on 23 shots.

Alain Vigneault knows Hart is early in his career, and the head coach maintains faith that the goalie will rebound.

"Carter is a very young goaltender. We all believe in him, we all think that he's got a tremendous amount of potential," Vigneault said, according to NHL.com's Adam Kimelman. "But it's a tough position. He's going to learn from this, he's going to get better."

Hart has posted a 6-5-3 record with a .888 save percentage and a 3.61 goals-against average this season. He's also produced the league's fifth-worst goals saved above average rating (-8.18).

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