Jake Allen Could Make or Break New Jersey Devils

Connor Hellebuyck’s anticipated return to Winnipeg was supposed to provide the emotional centerpiece of Tuesday’s meeting. Instead, the former Jets goaltender will watch from the sidelines as New Jersey pursues its sixth consecutive victory.

The Devils have won nine of ten. Winnipeg has recovered from nine consecutive winless games with three straight victories. Both arrive with momentum, although their season-long records tell very different stories.

Bookmaker Sportsbook opening line: Winnipeg Jets +127, New Jersey Devils -143; Over 6 goals -113, Under 6 goals -103.

New Jersey’s Winning Streak Has Substance

The Devils enter 13-5-0, having defeated Toronto 4-0 on Sunday after overcoming a two-goal third-period deficit to beat the Islanders 5-4 in overtime. Jack Hughes has 11 points across his last five games. His production has helped New Jersey sustain an offense averaging more than 3.5 goals per game.

Hellebuyck, acquired from Winnipeg in October, will not start against his former team. New Jersey has confirmed Jake Allen instead, citing Hellebuyck’s recent workload and disrupted preseason preparation.

Hellebuyck acknowledged the disappointment: “Selfishly, I want to play,” while accepting the team’s decision.

Winnipeg’s Recovery Is Not Yet Security

The Jets enter 7-8-3 after victories over Montreal, Vancouver, and Tampa Bay. Their 4-3 win over Tampa Bay came on Mark Scheifele’s power-play winner with 1.6 seconds remaining, after Winnipeg surrendered a three-goal lead.

Kyle Connor leads the Jets with 13 goals. Scheifele has 18 points, while Cole Perfetti has contributed seven goals.

The recent victories establish improvement without erasing Winnipeg’s defensive difficulties. New Jersey, meanwhile, must manage the final game of a three-game road trip without injured forward Anthony Mantha.

Jets coach Scott Arniel described the unresolved Hellebuyck situation as something that would continue to “linger.”

Data Snapshot

NHL | Tuesday, November 10, 2026 | Canada Life Centre, Winnipeg, Manitoba | 7:00 PM ET | ESPN+ New Jersey Devils

Winnipeg’s Defensive Exits Face Their Hardest Examination

The decisive conflict lies between New Jersey’s sustained offensive pressure and Winnipeg’s ability to move the puck cleanly out of its defensive zone.

The Devils average 33.61 shots per game while allowing only 24.72. That disparity suggests an ability to keep opponents defending rather than simply trading scoring chances.

Winnipeg’s vulnerability becomes more significant if Morrissey remains unavailable. His puck movement ordinarily provides an important route out of pressure. Without him, the Jets could struggle to turn defensive recoveries into controlled exits.

Jack Hughes and Jesper Bratt present particular danger when opponents fail to clear. Their combination of mobility and passing can transform a second offensive-zone possession into a higher-quality opportunity than the initial entry.

Winnipeg’s counterweight is the Connor–Scheifele–Vilardi line. If the Jets escape pressure with possession, Connor’s finishing ability could expose a New Jersey penalty kill operating below 70%.

That weakness matters. Winnipeg’s power play has converted 21.8% of opportunities, and Scheifele’s late winner against Tampa Bay demonstrated its immediate scoring potential.

Jake Allen introduces another uncertainty. His .881 save percentage and 3.20 goals-against average are considerably less convincing than Hellebuyck’s recent numbers.

The tactical advantage favors New Jersey. The goaltending substitution and special-teams matchup prevent it from becoming overwhelming.

Betting Analysis: The Favorite Has Exposure

Sporting prediction: New Jersey Devils 4, Winnipeg Jets 3.

New Jersey’s shot generation, recent consistency and offensive-zone pressure provide the stronger foundation.

Betting lean: Over 6 goals (-113).

Both teams have credible scoring opportunities, particularly against vulnerable penalty kills. Winnipeg’s recent defensive instability and Allen’s modest save percentage strengthen the case for goals.

The principal risk is a more controlled contest in which Winnipeg successfully limits New Jersey’s repeated entries. A strong performance from either starting goaltender could also suppress scoring.

The six-goal line provides push protection at exactly six, making the total preferable to New Jersey’s moneyline.

Explore your betting options before spending a penny. Register for free at Bookmaker Sportsbook to unlock live odds, compare available bets, and browse the full range of betting markets. No deposit or wager required, so you can explore before deciding whether to bet.

Odds are correct at the time of publishing and subject to change without notice.

Please gamble responsibly. Treat sports betting as entertainment, not a source of income or a way to recover financial losses. If you or someone you know needs support, visit our Responsible Gambling page for confidential help and recognized organizations available in your country.

Sources: NHL official preview, CBS Sports / Field Level Media, StatMuse statistics, Projected line combinations.