John Gibson makes 24 saves as surging Red Wings beat slumping Jets, 2-1
Detroit Red Wings center Mason Appleton (22) celebrates his goal against the Winnipeg Jets with teammates during the first period of an NHL hockey game, Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025, in Detroit. Credit: AP/Duane Burleson
DETROIT — John Gibson kept up his hot December with 24 saves, Dylan Larkin and Mason Appleton scored goals, and the Detroit Red Wings beat the slumping Winnipeg Jets 2-1 on Wednesday night.
Gibson won for the ninth time in 10 starts as the Red Wings improved to 11-3-1 in December.
The Jets lost their seventh straight game (0-4-3) on a night where Connor Hellebuyck made 17 saves. Logan Stanley scored Winnipeg's goal.
The Red Wings took a 1-0 lead at 8:22 of the first period when Larkin ripped a shot through traffic over Hellebuyck's glove while on the power play. Larkin and Hellebuyck, who grew up a few miles apart in Detroit's western suburbs, are expected to be teammates on Team USA in the upcoming Olympics.
Appleton put the Red Wings ahead 2-0 with 5:12 left in the first, finishing off a two-on-one break with J.T. Compher. Hellebuyck made the initial save, but defenseman Luke Schenn knocked the puck into the net while trying to clear the crease.
Gustav Nyquist nearly made it 2-1 late in the second period against his former team, but hit the crossbar from a sharp angle.
Stanley made it 2-1 at 7:04 of the third with a shot along the ice that seemed to fool Gibson.
Winnipeg Jets center Cole Perfetti (91) ties up Detroit Red Wings left wing James van Riemsdyk (21) during the second period of an NHL hockey game, Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025, in Detroit. Credit: AP/Duane Burleson
Up next
Jets: Visit the Toronto Maple Leafs on Thursday night.
Red Wings: Visit the Pittsburgh Penguins on Thursday night.
