Clay Stevenson Set for NHL Debut with Capitals Against Penguins

PITTSBURGH, Pa. — Clay Stevenson will make his highly anticipated NHL debut for the Washington Capitals on Thursday night, stepping into the net against the Pittsburgh Penguins in the team’s final regular-season game. The 26-year-old goaltender’s promotion comes after the Capitals sent Hunter Shepard back to the AHL‘s Hershey Bears.

Stevenson, a native of Drayton Valley, Alberta, has been part of the Capitals organization for three years after signing an entry-level contract out of Dartmouth College in 2022. He expressed his excitement ahead of his debut, saying, “It’s the dream since you were a young kid. It’s kinda been a longer road for me, not exactly straightforward. I couldn’t be happier to do it with this group, that’s for sure.”

This season, Stevenson has played 33 games for the Bears, posting an 18-8-4 record, a 2.94 goals-against average (GAA), an .888 save percentage, and two shutouts. Last year, he had a standout AHL season, finishing 24-10-2 with a 2.06 GAA and a .922 save percentage, which helped lead the Bears to the Calder Cup championship.

Stevenson is gearing up to face off against Penguins stars Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin. He stated, “Childhood heroes that you get to now play against. Childhood dream actualized.”

Capitals head coach Spencer Carbery highlighted the importance of these moments in a player’s career. He remarked, “One of the best parts of the job… is being able to deliver that type of news. Seeing his face and just how hard he’s worked his entire life for this moment is pretty special.”

The Capitals are looking to finalize their roster as they prepare for the postseason, having already secured their playoff berth. With starting goaltender Logan Thompson sidelined due to an upper-body injury, Stevenson has an opportunity to prove himself in a crucial match-up.

In their last outing, the Capitals faced issues against the Columbus Blue Jackets, suffering a significant 7-0 defeat. Stevenson hopes to change the momentum as the team heads into the playoffs, which start on Monday against the Montreal Canadiens.

Carbery provided updates on the health of his players, stating that while Thompson skated prior to Thursday’s game, he won’t participate for a seventh consecutive match. The coach confirmed that Charlie Lindgren will back Stevenson during the game.

As Stevenson makes his NHL debut, he embodies the hopes of the Capitals fans, aiming for a strong start in what could be a key game for both his career and the team’s success heading into the playoffs.