{"id":432716,"date":"2026-01-28T15:55:18","date_gmt":"2026-01-28T15:55:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/432716\/"},"modified":"2026-01-28T15:55:18","modified_gmt":"2026-01-28T15:55:18","slug":"3-takeaways-from-jets-gritty-4-3-win-over-devils-the-hockey-writers-winnipeg-jets","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/432716\/","title":{"rendered":"3 Takeaways From Jets\u2019 Gritty 4\u20133 Win Over Devils – The Hockey Writers – Winnipeg Jets"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Winnipeg Jets<\/a> continued their strong run on Tuesday night, grinding out a 4\u20133 road victory<\/a> over the New Jersey Devils<\/a> at Prudential Center. While the final score suggests a tight contest \u2014 and it certainly was late \u2014 Winnipeg largely controlled the middle portion of the game and leaned on structure, depth scoring, and composure under pressure to secure the win.<\/p>\n

Related: Suggested Trade Has Oilers Acquiring Jonathan Toews From the Jets<\/a><\/p>\n

Mark Scheifele<\/a> and Gabriel Vilardi<\/a> each recorded a goal and an assist, while Kyle Connor chipped in with two helpers. The Jets built a 4\u20131 lead before weathering a late Devils push, improving their season series record against New Jersey to 2-0-0.<\/p>\n

Winnipeg\u2019s Top Line Continues to Set the Tone<\/p>\n

When the Jets needed offensive push, their top line delivered exactly that.<\/p>\n

Scheifele opened the scoring just 1:33 into the first period, capitalizing early and establishing momentum for Winnipeg. That goal set the tone for a strong start, and the Jets never trailed at any point in the game. Vilardi followed up in the second period with a key goal that made it 2\u20131, once again swinging momentum back toward Winnipeg after New Jersey had tied the game earlier in the frame. \u201cI know that line, I know when they are together there\u2019s some chemistry and you saw it on the first goal,\u201d said head coach Scott Arniel<\/a> when asked about the top line coming up big.<\/p>\n

\"WinnipegWinnipeg Jets right wing Nino Niederreiter celebrates his goal (Ed Mulholland-Imagn Images)<\/p>\n

Connor did not register any goals, but his presence was felt throughout the game. The winger registered two assists, one of which was the primary assist, and was the engine that drove the game forward. Connor\u2019s vision and speed gave Scheifele and Vilardi the opportunity to create scoring chances off the rush, and the Devils struggled to keep up with the Jets\u2019 speed through the neutral zone when this trio was on the ice.<\/p>\n

The thing that stood out the most about this game, however, was the timing of the scoring. Each time the Devils seemed to be making a push, the best players on the Jets responded. This ability to respond to scoring chances rather than chase the game is something that defines good teams, especially on the road.<\/p>\n

In a game where the Devils outshot the Jets 29-26 overall, the best players on the Jets were the difference-makers. Scheifele and Vilardi registered two points apiece and were among the game\u2019s three stars.<\/p>\n

Jets\u2019 Depth Scoring and Second-Period Surge Made the Difference<\/p>\n

The second period ultimately decided this game, and it was a testament to Winnipeg\u2019s depth.<\/p>\n

After Lenni H\u00e4meenaho\u2019s equalizing goal to make it 1-1 midway through the first, Winnipeg took control of this one in the second period, scoring three goals in just over 13 minutes of action. In addition to Vilardi\u2019s goal, goals from Cole Koepke and Nino Niederreiter gave Winnipeg a 4-1 lead and forced New Jersey to play catch-up.<\/p>\n

Koepke\u2019s goal at 7:51 of the second period was a big one, as it was a five-on-five goal off a clean wrist shot and came after the Devils were showing signs of life early in the period. Niederreiter\u2019s goal came later in the period off a Winnipeg forecheck and presence in front of the net.<\/p>\n

This is where Winnipeg separated itself. The Jets didn\u2019t rely solely on their stars; they rolled multiple lines that contributed offensively. New Jersey, meanwhile, leaned heavily on its top players for scoring, with Jesper Bratt and Nico Hischier accounting for the Devils\u2019 late goals. \u201cI thought our second period was a lot quicker, we got out of our end, did a better job of forcing (New) Jersey to go back to their goal line,\u201d said Arniel after the game<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The statistics illustrate that. Winnipeg outshot the Devils 14-5 during the second period and played their best stretch of hockey during that 20 minutes. This was the territorial advantage that Winnipeg would need.<\/p>\n

When you are a team with playoff aspirations, you need contributions from other than the first line. On Tuesday, Winnipeg proved it can win games with depth, not just with its superstars.<\/p>\n

Defensive Commitment Helped Winnipeg Survive a Late Push<\/p>\n

The third period wasn\u2019t exactly pretty, but it was effective.<\/p>\n

\"ConnorNew Jersey Devils left wing Jesper Bratt scores a goal on Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck (Ed Mulholland-Imagn Images)<\/p>\n

After Bratt scored on the power play with just over four minutes left in the second period, and Hischier made it 4-3 with under two minutes left in regulation, the Devils went on the attack looking for the equalizer. New Jersey took 15 shots on goal in the third period; Winnipeg took just four.<\/p>\n

But instead of giving in, Winnipeg went back to their defence. They blocked shots, took away shooting lanes, and made it difficult for New Jersey to get second chances. The Jets finished with 21 blocked shots on goal; the Devils finished with 11.<\/p>\n

Faceoffs also came into play. The Jets won 52.1 percent of their faceoffs, which helped them control play in key situations late in the game, especially when they took defensive zone faceoffs after icing calls.<\/p>\n

Special teams were a mixed bag. The Jets went 0-for-2 on the power play; the Devils went 1-for-2. But Winnipeg\u2019s penalty kill was enough, and their commitment to defence at even strength helped them hold on for the win.<\/p>\n

Games like this matter in the standings. They aren\u2019t highlight-reel victories, but they test a team\u2019s composure, structure, and ability to close. Winnipeg showed all three traits down the stretch.<\/p>\n

Final Thoughts<\/p>\n

While it wasn\u2019t necessarily a perfect win, it was a telling one nonetheless.<\/p>\n

The Jets showed that they are able to win games in a variety of ways, from having elite-level talent, to having depth scoring, to being able to lock things down defensively late in games.<\/p>\n

While New Jersey made it interesting late, Winnipeg never got nervous, simply relying on structure and experience to close things out.<\/p>\n

With Scheifele, Vilardi, and Connor continuing to lead the charge offensively, and others contributing, it would seem that the Jets are building a well-rounded team. If they\u2019re able to pair that with late-game defensive solidity, it\u2019s easy to see this kind of effort leading to success as the season moves forward.<\/p>\n

It was a tough road trip for the Jets, but they were able to bank this kind of win, which is precisely what good teams do.<\/p>\n

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