The Winnipeg Jets keep finding ways to win, and Tuesday night in New Jersey was another example of a team that’s figuring out how to handle business on the road. In a 4-3 victory over the Devils, the Jets leaned on a combination of early offense, timely responses, and a full-team commitment to defense to get the job done. The scoreline may have tightened late, but make no mistake - Winnipeg controlled the middle frame and earned this one.
Top Line Sets the Tone Early - and Often
When you’ve got a top line clicking the way Winnipeg’s is right now, you ride it. And the Jets did exactly that.
Mark Scheifele wasted no time putting his stamp on the game, scoring just 1:33 into the first period to give Winnipeg the early lead. That kind of start on the road is exactly what you want - it quiets the crowd, sets the tone, and lets the team settle into its structure. From there, the Jets never trailed.
Gabriel Vilardi added a key goal in the second period to make it 2-1, right after the Devils had tied it up. That goal swung momentum back in Winnipeg’s direction and was part of a second-period surge that would ultimately decide the game.
Kyle Connor didn’t score, but he was the engine behind the top line all night. With two assists - including a primary - Connor’s speed and vision were on full display. His ability to push the pace through the neutral zone opened up space for Scheifele and Vilardi to go to work, and New Jersey’s defense struggled to contain the trio when they got rolling.
What really stood out, though, was the timing. Every time the Devils looked like they might be climbing back into it, the Jets' top players answered. That’s a hallmark of a confident, well-coached team - not chasing the game, but responding to it with poise.
Depth Scoring Shines in a Dominant Second Period
The second period was where Winnipeg took over - and it wasn’t just the top line doing the damage.
After Lenni Hämeenaho tied the game 1-1 in the first, the Jets came out in the second and put together their best stretch of hockey on the night. Three goals in just over 13 minutes - from Vilardi, Cole Koepke, and Nino Niederreiter - gave Winnipeg a commanding 4-1 lead.
Koepke’s goal at 7:51 of the second was a clean five-on-five snipe, coming at a time when the Devils were showing some push. Niederreiter’s tally later in the period was classic Jets hockey - a strong forecheck, pressure down low, and a net-front presence that made life tough on the Devils’ defense.
This was the difference in the game. Winnipeg didn’t just lean on its stars - it got real contributions from its depth.
That’s what separates playoff contenders from pretenders. When you can roll four lines and get scoring from unexpected places, you’re dangerous.
Head coach Scott Arniel praised the team’s second-period effort, noting the pace and the ability to transition quickly out of their own zone. The stats back it up: Winnipeg outshot New Jersey 14-5 in the second and dictated the pace. That territorial edge gave them the cushion they’d need late.
Hanging On Late - Defense and Grit Seal the Win
The third period wasn’t pretty, but it was gritty - and that’s sometimes exactly what you need to close out a win on the road.
Jesper Bratt’s power-play goal late in the second cut the lead to 4-2, and Nico Hischier’s goal with under two minutes left made it 4-3. From there, the Devils poured it on, launching 15 shots on goal in the third period alone. Winnipeg managed just four.
But the Jets didn’t panic. They blocked shots (21 on the night), clogged shooting lanes, and protected the middle of the ice.
It wasn’t flashy, but it was effective. When New Jersey pressed for the equalizer, Winnipeg kept its structure and didn’t give up second chances.
Faceoffs were another subtle edge. Winnipeg won 52.1% of the draws, which helped them manage key moments in the defensive zone - especially after icing calls late in the game. That kind of detail work matters when you’re trying to close out a one-goal game.
Special teams were a mixed bag. Winnipeg went 0-for-2 on the power play, while New Jersey cashed in once on two chances. But the Jets’ penalty kill did enough, and their five-on-five play - especially in the second period - was the difference.
A Blueprint for Winning Hockey
This wasn’t a highlight-reel win, but it was a mature one. Winnipeg showed they can win in different ways: with top-line firepower, secondary scoring, and defensive commitment when it matters most.
The stars did their job - Scheifele and Vilardi each finished with a goal and an assist, and Connor was buzzing all night. But it was the contributions from guys like Koepke and Niederreiter, and the team-wide buy-in defensively, that made the difference.
These are the kinds of games that build confidence and bank points - especially on the road. The Jets didn’t fold under pressure. They leaned on structure, played smart hockey, and found a way to get it done.
If this is the version of Winnipeg that shows up consistently - one that can beat you with speed, depth, and discipline - then they’re going to be a tough out as the season rolls on.