Jets Defeat Devils in High-Scoring Affair

Winnipeg scores three goals in the second period to secure the victory

Jan. 28, 2026 at 2:31am

The Winnipeg Jets defeated the New Jersey Devils 4-3 in a high-scoring affair on Tuesday night. The Jets scored three goals in the second period, including tallies from Gabriel Vilardi, Cole Koepke, and Nino Niederreiter, to take a 4-1 lead. The Devils made a late push with goals from Jesper Bratt and Nico Hischier, but ultimately fell short.

Why it matters

This game was an important divisional matchup between two teams looking to solidify their playoff positioning in the competitive Central Division. The Jets' strong second period performance proved to be the difference, as they were able to hold off a late Devils comeback attempt.

The details

The Jets opened the scoring just 1:33 into the game with a goal from Mark Scheifele, but the Devils quickly answered to tie it at 1-1. In the second period, the Jets took control of the game, scoring three unanswered goals to take a 4-1 lead. The Devils made a late push with two third-period goals, but could not complete the comeback.

  • The game was played on Tuesday, January 28, 2026.
  • The Jets scored the opening goal just 1:33 into the first period.
  • The Devils tied the game at 1-1 at the 8:02 mark of the first period.
  • The Jets regained the lead with a goal 3:23 into the second period.
  • The Jets extended their lead with a goal a little more than four minutes later in the second period.
  • The Jets scored their fourth goal with 3:18 remaining in the second period.
  • The Devils scored their second goal with 36 seconds remaining in the second period.

The players

Gabriel Vilardi

A forward for the Winnipeg Jets who had a goal and an assist in the game.

Mark Scheifele

A forward for the Winnipeg Jets who had a goal and an assist in the game.

Connor Hellebuyck

The goaltender for the Winnipeg Jets who made 26 saves in the game.

Jesper Bratt

A forward for the New Jersey Devils who scored a goal in the game.

Nico Hischier

The captain of the New Jersey Devils who scored a late goal to bring the team within one.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“We knew we had to come out strong in the second period and we were able to capitalize on our chances. It was a big divisional win for us.”

— Mark Scheifele, Forward, Winnipeg Jets

“We made a good push at the end, but we dug ourselves too big of a hole in the second period. We'll need to learn from this and be better next time.”

— Nico Hischier, Captain, New Jersey Devils

What’s next

The Jets will look to build on this win as they continue their push for a playoff spot, while the Devils will aim to bounce back in their next game.

The takeaway

This game showcased the offensive firepower of both teams, with the Jets ultimately prevailing thanks to their strong second period performance. The result highlights the competitive nature of the Central Division and the importance of 60-minute efforts for teams looking to secure a postseason berth.