Philadelphia Flyers goaltender Carter Hart has decided to take a leave of absence for personal reasons, according to general manager Daniel Briere. Hart requested and has been granted time away from the team, and the Flyers have stated that they will have no further comment on the matter.

Hart, who was selected by the Flyers in the second round of the NHL Entry Draft in 2016, made his debut during the 2018-19 season and quickly became the team's starting goalie. This season, he has appeared in 26 games, boasting a record of 12-9-3. With 659 saves and a 90.6% save percentage, Hart has maintained a 2.80 goals against average.

The Flyers, currently sitting in second place in the Metropolitan Division with a record of 25-17-6, have relied on a rotation between Hart and Samuel Ersson for most of the season. Calvin Petersen has also stepped in as the starting goalie for two games.

Unfortunately, the absence of Hart was felt on Tuesday night as the Flyers suffered a 6-3 loss against the Tampa Bay Lightning. The NHL All-Star break is just around the corner, offering a brief hiatus in the schedule.

Hart joins a growing list of NHL players who have taken a leave of absence for personal reasons. On Sunday, the Calgary Flames announced that forward Dillon Dube would be stepping away from the ice indefinitely to focus on his mental health with the help of professionals.

As Hart takes the time he needs to attend to personal matters, his teammates and fans will undoubtedly support him during this challenging period. The Flyers will continue to navigate their season and seek success, hopeful for a strong return from their talented goaltender in the near future.