Just one season removed from winning the Presidents' Trophy as the NHL's top team, it's starting to get late early in 2025-26 for the Winnipeg Jets.
And even after the Jets brought a seven-game losing streak into January before dropping the first four games of the new year, Saturday's 5-1 defeat to the visiting Detroit Red Wings prompted head coach Scott Arniel to call it "One of the most embarrassing games for (him) in the last month."
With the game level at 1-1 entering the third period, Winnipeg fell apart in the third, allowing four consecutive Red Wings goals to fall to 20-24-7 on the year — eight points out of a playoff spot.
"All of us. That was an embarrassing game," Arniel continued. "We were looking for a pond hockey, don't get hit, don't hit anybody. Just play an easy, soft game. And that's pretty much what we did for two periods and then exploded in the third period."
Cole Koepke scored the lone goal for the Jets. Connor Hellebuyck made 26 saves in what was his fourth consecutive loss.
The Red Wings and Jets skated to a scoreless first period with shots 11-9 for the visitors. Detroit had the lone power play of the frame, but Winnipeg generated the best scoring chance. Adam Lowry rang a shot off the crossbar on a short-handed 2-on-1 with Koepke.
The Jets were the quicker team to start the second period, testing Gibson with a couple of chances in close.
Koepke finally broke the deadlock at 10:08 of the second period, set up by Logan Stanley and Morgan Barron.
The marker snapped a scoreless drought for Winnipeg at 5-on-5 dating back to Jan. 17 against Toronto — a span of 235 minutes, 48 seconds.
"We don't have any leeway at all," defenceman Dylan DeMelo said post-game. "We gotta win some games and string them together... We're not going to get in the playoffs by winning one game, but we've just got to focus on one game at a time and try to get the ball rolling."
Detroit responded at 15:50 when Compher batted home a loose puck in the crease to tie it 1-1. Former Jet Andrew Copp picked up the lone assist.
Compher scored his second of the game at 1:43 of the third to give the visitors a 2-1 lead. Compher completed the tic-tac-toe passing play with Emmitt Finnie and James van Riemsdyk with a shot that beat Hellebuyck's glove side.
"I think we just stopped playing with speed and were a little too cute with the puck," Koepke said of his team's third period. "I think at first, when we had success, we were advancing zones, making sure we got it in, putting pressure on their D and getting it back. We definitely got away from that in the third."
Raymond made it 3-1 at 8:11, notching his 18th of the season to extend his point streak to five games (4G, 4A). The goal stood following video review for a high stick.
DeBrincat made it 4-1 with an empty-net goal at 18:11. And Kasper rounded out the scoring for the visitors at 18:43 with a shot that beat Hellebuyck.
"We're fighting for our lives and we go out and lay that egg? It's not good enough," Arniel said. "That was the last game of this homestand, and we're heading out on the road for some really tough buildings.
"That was two points we needed badly."
TAKEAWAYS
Jets: Winnipeg snapped a streak of seven straight home games earning at least a point. The Jets have struggled against the Atlantic Division, posting a 1-6-4 record and losing their last eight meetings against the division. The game marked Hellebuyck's 600th appearance in the NHL, all for the Jets.
Red Wings: With the win, the Red Wings sweep the season series 2-0. Detroit won the first game on home ice, 2-1, on Dec. 31. Raymond has four goals in his last five games.
KEY MOMENT
Raymond scored at 8:11 of the third to put Detroit up 3-1.
KEY STAT
Koepke's goal was Winnipeg's first 5-on-5 goal in 235 minutes, 48 seconds of play.
UP NEXT
Red Wings: Host the Los Angeles Kings on Tuesday.
Jets: Visit the New Jersey Devils on Tuesday.
— with files from Canadian Press
