The Devils drop to fifth in the Metropolitan Division with a record of 7-6-1.
Entering Tuesday night's game, the Winnipeg Jets scored at least three goals in seven of their last ten games while holding their opponent to three or fewer eight times. That stat would become telling as the New Jersey Devils fell to the Jets by a final score of 6-3 at Canada Life Centre.
It marked the first time this season the Devils dropped three consecutive games.
After a strong opening frame, the Devils' lack of execution and consistency would haunt them in the final two periods.
For the sixth time this season, New Jersey surrendered the game's first two goals to their opponent. The Devils were able to tie the game with two quick goals from Timo Meier and John Marino but surrendered a goal with less than two minutes left when Winnipeg scored their third of the night.
"That's the (goal) that stung," head coach Lindy Ruff said. "It's a goal where we didn't stay on coverage. We gave up a heck of an opportunity, and they made a great play."
The Jets would score three additional goals in the third period, while Dawson Mercer scored his third of the season. The Devils' comeback efforts once again fell short. Winnipeg forward Kyle Connor earned three points (two goals, one assist), and Connor Hellebuyck made 31 saves on 34 shots.
Five Things
1. Lack of Awareness in the Defensive Zone
Miscommunication, misassignment, you can call it what you want, but there was a lack of awareness in the Devils' zone Tuesday night. Devils players were caught out of position and seemed to lose sight of certain Winnipeg players on multiple goals. On the Jets' third goal, Dougie Hamilton and Luke Hughes left Nikolaj Ehlers wide open, and on their fourth goal, Connor was left open on the power play when Mercer got caught and defenseman Jonas Siegenthaler got too low.
2. Marino Extends His Point Streak
In the second period, John Marino celebrated his first goal of the season. His wrist shot got past Hellebuyck, extending his point streak to five games. Per the media notes, it is his longest point streak in a Devils sweater.
3. Meier's Goal Streak Up to Three Games
One player who has offensively stepped up in the absence of Nico Hischier and Jack Hughes is Timo Meier. He scored a goal in his last three games, including power-play goals in consecutive games. Through 14 games, he has 11 points (five goals, six assists).
4. Mercer Finding his Stride
Mercer may have offensively struggled in October, but he is finding his rhythm in November. This month, he has three goals in his last four games.
5. McLeod's Productive First Period
Mcleod played a mere 5:34 in the opening frame versus Winnipeg, including 27 seconds shorthanded. He finished the period with a team-leading two shots and had a faceoff-win percentage of 100, going five-for-five in the face-off circle.
By the end of the game, he recorded 16 face-off wins (16/23, 70%), which marked a career-high for a single game. His previous career-high for face-off wins in a single game was 15. Additionally, McLeod had five shots on goal, which tied a career-high.