The Detroit Red Wings won their fourth straight home game, taking a 2-1 decision over the Winnipeg Jets at Little Caesars Arena on New Year’s Eve. The Wings are 6-1 in their last seven games on home ice and will ring in the New Year as the first-place team in the Atlantic Division at the halfway point of the NHL season.
Wednesday was Detroit’s 41st game of the 82-game campaign. The Red Wings are 24-14-3 on the season.
Dylan Larkin goal #21. #LGRW pic.twitter.com/HAwwxnCBHi
— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) December 31, 2025
Living out the epitome of taking one for the team, Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin caught a high stick to the face from Winnipeg defenseman Josh Morrissey. Then Larkin beat Jets goalie Connor Hellebuyck on the ensuing power play to open the scoring.
Mason Appleton, playing against his former team, made it 2-0. His goalmouth pass was deflected into the net by Jets defenseman Luke Schenn. It was Appleton’s fifth goal of the season and second goal in as many games.
Appy to see that go in! #LGRW pic.twitter.com/U7EKeMQ50F
— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) January 1, 2026
Logan Stanley pulled one back for the Jets in the third period.
Hellebuyck made 23 saves for the Jets. John Gibson had 18 saves for the Red Wings. Gibson is 9-1 in his last 10 decisions.
Takeaways
Forward James van Riemsdyk was back after missing two games due to being hit in the leg by a shot taken by teammate Moritz Seider shot . . . He slotted in alongside Marco Kasper and Nate Danielson.
Red Wings Key Moment
Juast 1:20 after Winnipeg scored in the third period, the Red Wings successfully killed off a holding penalty to Larkin.
Red Wings Key Stat
This is the first month since January 2024 that the Red Wings have gone through an entire calendar month of the season without losing two games in a row.
Up Next
The Red Wings are right back at it, traveling to Pittsburgh to face the Penguins in a New Year’s Day game. Puck drop for that contest is 7:00 pm ET.