NEWARK, N.J. _ Taylor Hall's point-scoring streak ended, and the Devils' win streak never got started.
After a rousing win over Montreal boosted New Jersey's hopes for a winning homestand, it missed numerous opportunities in a 3-2 loss to Winnipeg on Thursday night at Prudential Center.
The Devils' lead on Columbus for the No. 1 wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference playoffs dwindled to one point, coupled with the Blue Jackets' 5-4 overtime win against Colorado.
Patrik Laine extended his point-scoring streak to 10 games and Connor Hellebuyck made 41 saves.
Joel Armia and Nikolaj Ehlers also scored as the Jets posted their ninth win in the last 11 games. It also extended the Jets' streak to 7-0-1 in their last eight road games.
Hellebuyck posted his 35th win, setting the franchise single-season record, passing Kari Lehtonen who went 34-24-9 for the Atlanta Thrashers in 2006-07.
Laine continued to wield the hot stick with his eighth goal in the last four games.
Kyle Palmieri and Nico Hischier scored for the Devils, who lost for the fourth time in five games.
Hall's points in 19 straight games was the longest stretch in the NHL this season. He had also earned points in 26 consecutive appearances dating to Jan. 2. He missed three games before the All-Star break with a thumb injury.
Cory Schneider stopped 21 as he lost his 10th straight decision.
Laine scored the only goal in the wide-open first period. Unchecked in the slot, he drilled the puck past Schneider at 4:12 for his 39th of the season.
There was plenty of action at both ends with Blake Coleman having the best chance to even the score for the Devils. Coleman broke in alone only to lift a backhander over the net with five minutes remaining.
Down in the New Jersey end, Winnipeg came very close to a 2-0 lead when a deflected shot squeezed by Schneider who dived backward to swat it away inches before it crossed the goal line.
In the second, Winnipeg went up 2-0 at 13:26 when Armia beat Schneider with a wrist shot from the high slot.
Palmieri, sprung by a long lead pass from Hischier, countered for New Jersey with a breakaway goal, ripping a shot over Hellebuyck's glove at 16:41 to cut the deficit to one.
New Jersey came out flying to start the third, outshooting Winnipeg 10-1 in the first five minutes, but Hellebuyck would not yield.
The next goal went to Winnipeg as Dustin Byfuglien fired a shot off the post and Ehlers buried the rebound at 9:55.
New Jersey fought back again to cut the deficit to 3-2 as puck deflected into the net off Hischier at 11:07.
