Golden Knights’ Carter Hart out with lower-body injury

Vegas Golden Knights goalie Carter Hart will miss Friday’s game against the New Jersey Devils with a lower-body injury. He is considered day-to-day.

The 27-year-old appeared in his first game with Vegas on Tuesday after being recalled from AHL Henderson. He made 27 saves in a shootout victory over the Chicago Blackhawks.

Hart was one of five 2018 Canada world junior hockey players acquitted of sexual assault in July and was the first to sign an NHL contract. Hart signed a two-year, $4 million contract with Vegas after the league ruled the five players were eligible to sign deals beginning Oct. 15 and to play starting Dec. 1.

Earlier Friday, Vegas recalled goaltender Jesper Vikman from the AHL to make up for Hart’s absence as the Golden Knights begin a five-game road trip in New Jersey. Vikman will back up Akira Schmid against the Devils.

In eight games with Henderson this season, Vikman has a 3.40 goals-against average and an .871 save percentage.

— with files from the Associated Press