No Connor Hellebuyck, no problem for the Winnipeg Jets.
The Jets defeated the Colorado Avalanche 3-2 on Wednesday to improve to 3-0-1 this season, despite their star goalie being away from the team after publicly requesting a trade. Kyle Connor scored the game-winner with a minute left in regulation.
KYLE CONNOR SCORED THE GAME WINNER WITH A MINUTE LEFT ON THE CLOCK! ✈️ https://t.co/3F6c43u0Fb
— NHL (@NHL) October 8, 2026
The goal marked Connor's second of the game, bringing his total to five tallies in four contests this season.
Stuart Skinner, who's assumed No. 1 goalie duties in Hellebuyck's absence, was excellent between the pipes Wednesday, stopping 32 of 34 shots against the reigning Presidents' Trophy winners. Skinner's save percentage through three appearances sits at .920 following Wednesday's outing.
Skinner's backup, waiver claim Clay Stevenson, also performed well in his lone outing this season, stopping 29 of 31 shots in a 3-2 victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins on Monday.
With the Avalanche's loss, the Anaheim Ducks remain the NHL's only undefeated team.
Hellebuyck went public with his trade request in August after initially asking out several months earlier. The Jets suspended him after he failed to report to training camp in September.
The 33-year-old struggled last season, but he won the Hart Trophy as league MVP in 2024-25 while claiming his third career Vezina Trophy. Hellebuyck is under contract for five more seasons with an $8.5-million cap hit. He isn't being paid during his suspension.
