Stevenson Backstops Winnipeg to Victory in First Jets Start
Clay Stevenson stopped 30 of 32 shots in his first appearance for Winnipeg, helping the Jets beat Pittsburgh 3-2 on Monday. The Penguins had been unbeaten before the loss, and Winnipeg scored three times in the third period. Stevenson previously made his NHL debut in the same arena with Washington in April 2025.
Clay Stevenson, 27, joined Winnipeg after Washington placed him on waivers on Sept. 28. He watched Stuart Skinner start the Jets’ first two games before getting the nod on the second night of a back-to-back, following Winnipeg’s 3-2 win in Detroit. His previous NHL appearance also came at PPG Paints Arena, where he made 33 saves for Washington in an April 17, 2025 loss to Pittsburgh.
Pittsburgh entered Monday having scored 13 goals while allowing five in two wins. Winnipeg’s record became 2-0-1. Cole Perfetti’s third-period goal gave him five points (two goals, three assists) in three games. Connor Hellebuyck remains suspended during a trade standoff, leaving Skinner as the expected primary goalie.
Stevenson’s strong debut may give Winnipeg fans and coaches added confidence in their backup situation while the club manages an unsettled crease. It could also shape how other teams view waiver-claim goalies seeking opportunities, and it may give Pittsburgh an early-season test after a fast start. For fans, such performances can create short-term excitement and debate about workload, but one game is unlikely to define broader trends.