Update on Flyers’ Carter Hart: He’s Baaaaaaaack!

Goaltender Carter Hart, who was injured during the Philadelphia Flyers’ last game before the holiday break, was back on the ice for the team’s practice Tuesday afternoon, a sign that he probably won’t miss any time.

“He doesn’t seem to have any problems at all,” coach John Tortorella said after practice.

Hart changed out of his gear and quickly left the locker room without addressing the media. He had a session with the trainers.

Tortorella said he wasn’t sure if he would take three goalies on the West Coast trip, which starts Thursday in San Jose (11-18-6). They might do that as a precaution.

The Flyers (11-17-7) were happy to have Hart back at practice.

Torts on Carter Hart and #Flyers goalies. pic.twitter.com/qpVtDuSJB0

— Sam Carchidi (@BroadStBull) December 27, 2022

‘Backbone of our team’

“Hartsy’s been the backbone of our team pretty much the whole season,” veteran forward Kevin Hayes said.

“I talked to him over the break, so I was expecting to see him,” forward Scott Laughton said. “He’s the best player on our team.”

Officially, the Flyers said Hart suffered upper-body injury Friday, but they had to initially fear Hart suffered a concussion after a helmet-to-helmet collision with Carolina’s Seth Jarvis.

With 2:08 left in the second period, Flyers defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen pushed Jarvis into Hart as the Hurricanes scored a power-play goal, giving them a 6-2 lead. Carolina won, 6-5.

Hart went down as he and Jarvis collided.

“He was pretty confident after the game that it was something minor,” Hayes said Tuesday.

The 24-year-old goalie suffered the loss in the game. He is 10-11-6 with a 2.89 GAA and .911 save percentage. Hart’s strong play has kept the Philadelphia Flyers competitive in most games this season.

The Flyers had three goalies at practice Tuesday — Hart, Felix Sandstrom and Sam Ersson.

They will practice Wednesday in Voorhees before going on a trip to San Jose, Los Angeles and Anaheim.

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