After 20 minutes, not only were they able to match the Jets with eight shots on goal, but they also managed to tie the game with less than a minute remaining in the opening period. Once a bouncing puck made its way past Jake Allen, the Devils\u2019 response was almost instantaneous. Nico Hischier<\/a> picked up a rebound in front of the net 37 seconds later, tying the game at one.<\/p>\n Their ability to net one in the first gave the Devils a fighting chance. Instead of trailing in a deficit for the next 40 minutes, the momentum shifted in their favor. Cody Glass<\/a> was able to earn a 2-1 lead, and even though the Jets were quick to respond, they continued to charge the net. Jonas Siegenthaler<\/a> even got in on the action, firing the puck into an open net, but it was overturned for goaltender interference. Nonetheless, it bolstered the Devils\u2019 confidence, paving the way for a valiant effort across all three periods.<\/p>\n Luke Hughes Redemption Arc<\/p>\n No one deserved a redemption game quite like defenseman Luke Hughes<\/a>. After accidentally scoring two goals into his own net against the Carolina Hurricanes, fans at Prudential Center booed Hughes every time he touched the puck for the remainder of the game.\u00a0<\/p>\n Afterward, he was visibly disheartened, but the team rallied around him during their post-game interviews. In particular, the Devils\u2019 captain showed support for Hughes<\/a>. \u201cMistakes happen. He\u2019s obviously not happy about his game, but there\u2019s more to come\u2026We\u2019re here to support him, and that\u2019s what good teams do,\u201d stated Hischier.<\/p>\n Hughes went on to have a two-point game against the Jets, which was a fitting performance for his 200th career NHL game. He led all Devils\u2019 defensemen in ice time, with back-to-back assists on Hischier\u2019s game-tying goal, as well as Glass\u2019s first goal. Regardless of the game\u2019s outcome, Hughes was in desperate need of a bounce-back performance. As the season progresses, he must regain his confidence as an elite two-way defenseman, as a crucial part of the Devils\u2019 blue line.<\/p>\n A Step in the Right Direction<\/p>\n A crushing defeat was the last thing the Devils needed, but there were still a few bright points throughout their performance. For one, the team scored more than three goals \u2014 a feat they have not been able to pull off since the start of 2026. Hopefully, this contest was the key to unraveling their recent goalscoring woes.<\/p>\n In terms of scoring opportunities, the Devils delivered. They outshot their opponent 27-22, recording 61 shot attempts<\/a> compared to the Jets\u2019 52. Likewise, two of three goals came from a depth scorer, which was another promising component of their game.<\/p>\n But perhaps the best outcome of the contest was the return of Johnathan Kovacevic<\/a>. This marked his first game since the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs, where he suffered a knee injury in Game 3 that required surgery. When asked about his return<\/a> to the lineup, he expressed nothing but gratitude at being able to play again. \u201cIt\u2019s obviously so great to finish the game, be healthy, be in one piece,\u201d said Kovacevic.<\/p>\n After a solid effort, it\u2019s time for the Devils to get back on track. With their roster one step closer to reaching full health, their situation is becoming increasingly more dire. Now 22-21-2, only a three-point margin separates them from the bottom of the Metropolitan. Can they turn things around before it\u2019s too late?<\/p>\n Looking Ahead<\/p>\n The Devils will be back in action again tomorrow night, closing out their road trip against the Minnesota Wild.\u00a0<\/p>\n The series against Winnipeg will conclude with a final matchup on Jan. 27 at the Prudential Center.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a>![\"New](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Devils-Celebrate-9-1200x800.jpg\")
New Jersey Devils players celebrate after defeating the Vegas Golden Knights 2-1 in a shoot out (Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images)<\/p>\n![\"SUBSCRIBE](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Devils_Banner-1200x122.jpg\")
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