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Mercer, Connor each score twice to lift Jets over Devils in Hellebuyck’s return to Winnipeg

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WINNIPEG — Former Devils forward Dawson Mercer and Kyle Connor each scored twice to lead the Winnipeg Jets to an emotional 4-2 victory over New Jersey on Tuesday.

Cody Glass and Jesper Bratt replied for the Devils.

The victory extended Winnipeg’s win streak to four games, and halted New Jersey’s at five games.

Former Devils netminder Nico Daws made 19 saves for Winnipeg (8-8-3) before a capacity crowd of 15,321 fans at Canada Life Centre.

Jake Allen stopped 21 shots for New Jersey (13-6-0).

After Mercer gave the Jets a 3-2 lead on the power play at 11:58 of the third period, Connor sealed the outcome with an unassisted empty-net goal.

The Devils, who trailed 2-0 after the first period, tied the game in the second period with a pair of goals 44 seconds apart. Bratt scored at 1:14 on a perfect setup from Arseny Gritsyuk from behind the net. Jack Hughes also assisted to extend his point streak to six games.

Glass then tied the game at 1:58 when he deflected Jonathan Kovacevic’s shot past Daws. Declan Chisholm also assisted.

Connor scored during a two-man advantage at 15:06 of the first period when he deflected Cole Perfetti’s pass past Allen. Mark Scheifele also assisted, moving him into a second-place tie with Dale Hawerchuk in all-time assists in franchise history with 550.

Mercer opened the scoring at 7:54 when his snap shot from the faceoff circle beat Allen.

TAKEAWAYS

Jets: Came out energized by the crowd booing and chanting, “Helle Sucks!” to express their anger that former Jets goalie Connor Hellebuyck did not start against Winnipeg in their first game against the Devils since the Jets traded him to New Jersey. They jumped to a 2-0 lead.

Devils: Took the wind out of the Jets’ sails by scoring two goals 44 seconds apart early in the second period to tie the game 2-2. But they failed to score after that.

KEY MOMENT

Mercer’s second goal of the game gave Winnipeg a 3-2 lead.

KEY STAT

It took the Devils 13 minutes before they got a shot on net in the third period.

UP NEXT

Devils: Host the Washington Capitals on Thursday.

Jets: Visit the Dallas Stars on Thursday.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 10, 2026.

Jim Bender, The Canadian Press