Red Wings Edge Jets in Close Contest
Wednesday, December 31, 2025, 6:30 PM ET · Little Caesars Arena
Detroit Red Wings 2, Winnipeg Jets 1, final. Our NHL picks are sealed as a hash before kickoff and settled in public, losses included.
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Quick answers
Who won Winnipeg Jets vs Detroit Red Wings?
Detroit Red Wings beat Winnipeg Jets 2-1 at Little Caesars Arena on December 31, 2025.
Who was favored in Winnipeg Jets vs Detroit Red Wings?
Winnipeg Jets were the favorite at DraftKings, moneyline -118 (about 54% implied). The underdog won.
The Detroit Red Wings secured a narrow 2-1 victory over the Winnipeg Jets at Little Caesars Arena, marking their second consecutive win against the Jets this season and extending their lead in the season series to 2-0. This matchup was particularly significant as the Red Wings aimed to maintain their strong home form against a struggling Jets team. The Red Wings entered the game with a home record of 24 wins, 14 losses, and 3 overtime losses, while the Jets had a much less favorable away record of 15 wins, 19 losses, and 4 overtime losses.
In the first period, the Red Wings struck first with a goal from Dylan Larkin, his 21st of the season, assisted by Moritz Seider and Lucas Raymond. Shortly after, Mason Appleton equalized for the Jets with his fifth goal of the season, assisted by J.T. Compher and Michael Rasmussen. The first period ended with the Red Wings leading 2-1 after Appleton's goal, which came just moments after Larkin's opener.
The second period saw no goals, but the Red Wings maintained pressure, showcasing their ability to create scoring opportunities. They averaged 3.0 goals scored per game at home in their last ten games, a figure that reflects their offensive capabilities. The Red Wings' defense held strong, allowing an average of 2.7 goals against during that stretch, which was crucial in limiting the Jets' chances.
In the third period, Logan Stanley found the net for the Jets with a wrist shot, assisted by Jonathan Toews, narrowing the gap to 2-1. However, the Red Wings' defense held firm in the closing minutes, securing the victory. The Jets, who have struggled with a record of 1-9 in their last ten games, continued their downward trend, extending their losing streak to seven games.
In terms of injuries, the Red Wings were missing key players including Viktor Arvidsson, Mason Appleton, and Michael Rasmussen, all of whom were out due to various injuries. The Jets faced a similar situation, with Elias Salomonsson, Neal Pionk, Vladislav Namestnikov, Gustav Nyquist, and Alex Iafallo all sidelined. The absence of these players undoubtedly impacted both teams' performances.
The betting market, as provided by DraftKings, had the Jets at -118 on the moneyline, with a spread of 1.5 and a total set at 5.5. The odds indicated a closely contested match, which was reflected in the final score.
The weather conditions for the game were not specified, but the indoor setting of Little Caesars Arena ensured a consistent environment for both teams.
Overall, this game highlighted the contrasting fortunes of the two teams, with the Red Wings continuing their push for playoff contention while the Jets grappled with their ongoing struggles. Fans can look forward to the next matchup between these two teams as both sides will look to capitalize on their respective strengths and address their weaknesses.
Odds
| Book | Spread | Total | Moneyline |
|---|---|---|---|
| DraftKings | WPG -118 | 5.5 o -130 / u +110 | Winnipeg Jets -118 · Detroit Red Wings -102 |
Injury report
- Viktor ArvidssonOutRibsDetroit Red Wings
- Mason AppletonOutUpper BodyDetroit Red Wings
- Michael RasmussenOutLower BodyDetroit Red Wings
- Elias SalomonssonOutShoulderWinnipeg Jets
- Neal PionkOutUndisclosedWinnipeg Jets
- Vladislav NamestnikovOutUndisclosedWinnipeg Jets
- Gustav NyquistOutUndisclosedWinnipeg Jets
- Alex IafalloOutUndisclosedWinnipeg Jets
Leaders
- GoalsMason Appleton1Detroit Red Wings
- AssistsJ.T. Compher1Detroit Red Wings
- PointsDylan Larkin1Detroit Red Wings
- AssistsJonathan Toews1Winnipeg Jets
- PointsJonathan Toews1Winnipeg Jets
Recent form
Detroit Red Wings
Last 10: 7-3Streak W13 scored · 2.7 allowed per game4-1 at home
- W3-2vs Toronto Maple LeafsDec 29
- L2-5at Carolina HurricanesDec 28
- W4-3vs Dallas StarsDec 23
- W3-2vs Washington CapitalsDec 21
- W5-2at Washington CapitalsDec 20
- L1-4vs Utah MammothDec 18
- W3-2vs New York IslandersDec 17
- W4-0at Chicago BlackhawksDec 14
- L1-4at Edmonton OilersDec 12
- W4-3at Calgary FlamesDec 11
Winnipeg Jets
Last 10: 1-9Streak L62.4 scored · 3.5 allowed per game0-4 away
- L1-3vs Edmonton OilersDec 30
- L3-4vs Minnesota WildDec 28
- L3-4at Utah MammothDec 22
- L2-3at Colorado AvalancheDec 20
- L0-1at St. Louis BluesDec 18
- L2-3vs Ottawa SenatorsDec 16
- W5-1vs Washington CapitalsDec 14
- L3-6vs Boston BruinsDec 12
- L3-4vs Dallas StarsDec 10
- L2-6at Edmonton OilersDec 7
Standings
| Team | Ot losses | Lost | Points | Won |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colorado | 11 | 16 | 121 | 55 |
| Dallas | 12 | 20 | 112 | 50 |
| Minnesota | 12 | 24 | 104 | 46 |
| Utah | 6 | 33 | 92 | 43 |
| St. Louis | 12 | 33 | 86 | 37 |
| Nashville | 10 | 34 | 86 | 38 |
| Winnipeg | 12 | 35 | 82 | 35 |
| Chicago | 14 | 39 | 72 | 29 |
| Buffalo | 9 | 23 | 109 | 50 |
| Tampa Bay | 6 | 26 | 106 | 50 |
| Montreal | 10 | 24 | 106 | 48 |
| Boston | 10 | 27 | 100 | 45 |
| Ottawa | 11 | 27 | 99 | 44 |
| Detroit | 10 | 31 | 92 | 41 |
| Florida | 4 | 38 | 84 | 40 |
| Toronto | 14 | 36 | 78 | 32 |
Box score
| Stat | Winnipeg Jets | Detroit Red Wings |
|---|---|---|
| Blocked shots | 11 | 20 |
| Hits | 24 | 14 |
| Takeaways | 6 | 4 |
| Shots total | 24 | 19 |
| Power play goals | 0 | 1 |
| Power play opportunities | 3 | 3 |
| Power play pct | 0.0 | 33.3 |
| Short handed goals | 0 | 0 |
| Shootout goals | 0 | 0 |
| Faceoffs won | 23 | 24 |
| Faceoff percent | 48.9 | 51.1 |
| Giveaways | 13 | 12 |
| Penalties | 3 | 3 |
| Penalty minutes | 6 | 6 |
How the scoring went
- 1st0-1Dylan Larkin Goal (21) Snap Shot, assists: Moritz Seider (24), Lucas Raymond (32)
- 1st0-2Mason Appleton Goal (5) Snap Shot, assists: J.T. Compher (9), Michael Rasmussen (8)
- 3rd1-2Logan Stanley Goal (7) Wrist Shot, assists: Jonathan Toews (8)
Venue
- Little Caesars ArenaDetroit, MI
- Attendance19515
- OfficialsWes McCauley, Carter Sandlak, Jonathan Deschamps, Brandon Grillo
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These two, other days
- Jets Edge Red Wings in Close ContestOct 4, 2026
- Red Wings Overpower Jets in Dominant WinJan 24, 2026