In the midst of a season drenched by a downpour of dreariness over the first months of the season, the sun began to shine through in the middle of December. Carter Hart was recalled to Philadelphia, just hours ahead of the team announcing that then-head coach Dave Hakstol had been relieved of his duties, and would go on to win his first NHL start the very next day.
For a fan base that had continued to grow more and more apathetic, Hart’s mere presence had breathed life back into the arena. Jeers turned to cheers and the team would soon embark on their best stretch of the season, with Hart winning eight straight games.