Dawson Mercer delivered the kind of night Winnipeg needed, scoring twice and finishing off the game-winning goal as the Jets beat the New Jersey Devils 4-2 on Tuesday night at Canada Life Centre.
Mercer gave Winnipeg the lead early, striking at 7:54 of the first period with Cole Perfetti picking up the assist. The Jets then stretched it to 2-0 when Kyle Connor scored on the power play at 15:06 of the opening frame.
New Jersey answered quickly after the intermission. Jesper Bratt cut the deficit to 2-1 just 1:14 into the second period, and Cody Glass tied it at 2-2 only 44 seconds later at 1:58.
The game stayed level until the third, when Mercer cashed in again on the power play at 11:58. Alex Iafallo and Viggo Björck set up the go-ahead goal, and Connor later sealed it with an empty-netter at 19:02.
Connor finished with two goals, while Perfetti handed out two assists. Nico Daws stopped 19 of 21 shots for Winnipeg.
For the Devils, Bratt and Glass found the net, and Jake Allen made 21 saves on 24 shots.
Winnipeg finished with a 25-21 edge in shots, went 2 for 4 on the power play, and killed off all four New Jersey chances. The Jets improved to 8-8-3 and have now won four straight, while the Devils dropped to 13-6-0.
Winnipeg sits ninth in the Western Conference. New Jersey remains third in the Eastern Conference.
The Jets visit the Dallas Stars on Thursday, Nov. 12, at 8:00 p.m. ET.
The Devils host the Washington Capitals on Thursday, Nov. 12, at 7:00 p.m. ET.
In Other News...
Devils May Face A Brutal Price To Chase Quinn Hughes
The idea of the Devils going after Quinn Hughes has the kind of appeal that naturally follows a team looking to strengthen its blue line, especially when a proven defenseman is the name at the center of the conversation. The speculation points to a deal built around players and draft picks, which is exactly the sort of package that can make a contender pause, even before any real talks get serious.
For New Jersey, the attraction is obvious: Hughes would fit the kind of high-end defensive upgrade that changes the look of a roster. But the cost is where the story gets complicated, because any pursuit would likely require parting with meaningful pieces the Devils would rather keep. For now, it remains a hypothetical worth watching, with no confirmed trade or official negotiation to point to yet. [Read more 🡒]
Devils Prospect Pipeline Takes Another Hit With Orlov Suddenly Sidelined
The Devils prospect pool took another jolt this week when Daniil Orlov was sidelined after a training accident led to back surgery, a setback that is expected to keep the 22-year-old defenseman out for the rest of the season. Orlov, who is under contract with Spartak Moskva, had been building momentum with a strong start before the injury interrupted his year.
For New Jersey, it is the latest reminder of how fragile the path can be for young defensemen overseas. Orlov had been one of the more encouraging Russian options in the system, and his absence adds to a run of injury trouble that has already affected other Devils Russian blueline prospects, thinning the organizations depth chart at a position it has been trying to cultivate carefully. [Read more 🡒]
Devils Make Another Big Decision After That Shutout Loss In Toronto
The Devils have steadied themselves with five straight wins, a run that has pushed them up the Metropolitan Division and Eastern Conference standings and helped turn the page after a rough night in Toronto. Even with the momentum, the team is still managing its roster carefully, and that includes a major call in goal for the upcoming meeting with the Winnipeg Jets.
General manager Sunny Mehta and coach Sheldon Keefe confirmed the club will not start Connor Hellebuyck against his former team, despite his desire to play. New Jersey also recalled Riley Tufte from the Utica Comets after Anthony Mantha was injured, while Jack Hughes picked up another bit of recognition by being named the NHL's second star of the week after a strong offensive stretch. [Read more 🡒]