Faltering Jets, Devils seek return to early-season form

The quest to move into playoff position in their respective conferences remains a grind for both the New Jersey Devils and Winnipeg Jets.

Amid disappointing seasons, the Devils and Jets try to rebound from their latest defeat when they meet Tuesday night in Newark, N.J.

Last season, Winnipeg won the Presidents' Trophy with a league-best 116 points, while New Jersey posted 91 to finish third in the Metropolitan Division. In 2025-26, there's plenty of work to be done for both just to reach the postseason.

The Devils are 19-22-2 since winning eight of their first nine contests. However, they had won three straight to open a four-game trip and five of six overall before Sunday's 4-2 loss at Seattle. The Kraken scored three times in the third period of a contest that was 1-1 after 40 minutes.

"We have lost the luxury, or the ability, to be content with anything that's happened in the past," Devils coach Sheldon Keefe said. "We gotta stay in the present and not leave any points on the table.

"We feel good about the trip, (but) we've got to go back home and play better. Build on our game and get to another level. We need to get more consistent offense."

Though New Jersey has won three of the last five games, it managed more than two goals just once during that stretch. Dougie Hamilton, the subject of trade rumors, and Jack Hughes each had a goal with an assist Sunday.

Hamilton has that goal along with nine assists during an eight-game point streak. Meanwhile, Hughes also posted the same statistics, but over the last nine contests.

While Hamilton was a healthy scratch during the Devils' 4-3 loss at Winnipeg on Jan. 11, Hughes recorded two assists.

The Jets won nine of their first 12 games this season, but are 11-21-7 since then. They fell to 1-2-2 after a four-game winning streak with Saturday's 5-1 home loss to Detroit.

Cole Koepke scored for Winnipeg, which allowed four goals in the third period. The Jets have managed just five goals in the last four contests.

"We got to get points and try to get wins. Obviously, time is of the essence," Winnipeg defenseman Dylan DeMelo said.

"We don't have any leeway at all, we gotta win some games, string them together. But, even if we get the next one, we have to focus on the next one and go from there.

"We're not going to get to the playoffs just by one winning game."

Winnipeg stars Kyle Connor and Mark Scheifele were both blanked against the Devils earlier this month. Connor has just two points in the last four contests, while Scheifele's been held to three in the last five.

Fellow star Connor Hellebuyck made 24 saves against the Devils this month, but has lost four consecutive starts while stopping 100 of 110 shots. Teammate Eric Comrie has saved 45 of 47 shots while winning his last two outings.

New Jersey's Jacob Markstrom (3.29 goals-against average) faced 18 shots Sunday and allowed three goals. Meanwhile, teammate Jake Allen stopped 18 of 22 shots at Winnipeg this season, and snapped a three-game starting losing streak by making 22 saves during a 2-1 victory at Edmonton on Jan. 20.

--Field Level Media