Less than an hour before game time, scheduled starting goalie Martin Brodeur was lifted from that role, as the New Jersey Devils said he had “a little soreness” that held him out of the starting lineup.

Feb 24, 2013; Newark, NJ, USA; Winnipeg Jets left wing Evander Kane (9) avoids a sliding New Jersey Devils goalie Johan Hedberg (1) and scores a goal during the second period at the Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports

Some two-and-a-half hours later, the Devils (10-5-4) skated off the ice at the hands of a 4-2 loss to the Winnipeg Jets (8-9-1) at Prudential Center. The loss is the second in as many days for the Devils, who lost 5-1 to the Washington Capitals yesterday.

Brodeur took part in pregame warm-ups, but left early and was taken out of the starting lineup minutes before the game started. The Devils said he will be re-evaluated tomorrow.

With Johan Hedberg making his second consecutive start — and his first of the season at Prudential Center — the Devils got off to a good start. Despite the Jets scoring first, when Zach Bogosian slipped a shot past Hedberg, the Devils answered for two straight goals from Travis Zajac and Steve Bernier to take a 2-1 lead.

Winnipeg came firing back in the second period, though. Grant Clitsome scored a power play goal to tie the game at two. Later in the second period, Evander Kane scored after a turnover from Devils defensemen Adam Larsson. Kane split the two Devils defensemen and made a move around Hedberg’s poke check to give the Jets a 3-2 lead.

Winnipeg added to that lead in the third period, when Andrew Ladd found a loose puck in the offensive zone and ripped a wrist shot over Hedberg’s glove to give the Jets the 4-2 lead that would be the final score.

On a lighter note, Devils’ forward Andrei Loktionov moved his point streak to three games after registering an assist on Bernier’s first-period goal.

Prior to the game, the Devils recalled Jacob Josefson from Albany after Ryan Carter was place on injured reserve earlier today. Josefson played in place of rookie Stefan Matteau, who is “a little banged up,” according to coach Pete DeBoer.

The Devils won’t play again until Thursday, when they visit the Jets on the road.

Jan 25, 2013; Newark, NJ, USA; New Jersey Devils players celebrate a goal by left wing Patrik Elias (26) during the second period against the Washington Capitals at the Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports

The Devils (10-3-4) got two third-period goals from Andrei Loktionov — his first as a Devil — and Ilya Kovalchuk on the power play to rally on the Washington Capitals (5-10-1) for a 3-2 win.

It’s the Devils second win in as many games over the Capitals this season after a 3-2 overtime win in New Jersey on Jan. 25.

Following a scoreless opening period, Mathieu Perreault put in a rebound after Troy Brouwer was denied by Devils’ goalie Martin Brodeur to give Washington the 1-0 lead midway through the second period.

New Jersey answered quickly, when Adam Henrique led a persistent forecheck and eventually threw a pass across the crease where Patrik Elias was waiting to bang it past Capitals’ goalie Braden Holtby to even the game at one.

Washington came back with a quick goal of its own, however, as Mike Ribeiro slipped a wrist shot past Brodeur late in the second period to put the Capitals back on top, 2-1, and set up the Devils’ comeback.

The win didn’t come without controversy, though. Kovalchuk’s game-winning-goal in the third period came on a five-on-three advantage, after Washington forward Tom Poti was called for a questionable interference penalty.

Later, with the Devils clinging to a 3-2 lead in the final stages of the game, defensemen Bryce Salvador lifted a puck out of play from the defensive zone, but wasn’t whistled for delay-of-game, as officials said that the puck landed in the Capitals’ bench.

In all, the Capitals were nailed for seven penalties in the third period. The Devils were only handed one — a harmless cross-checking penalty on defensemen Adam Larsson, which was coincidental with Nicklas Backstrom‘s penalty for boarding.

Brodeur finished with 17 saves for the Devils. Holtby, who was much busier, compiled a 34-save night for Washington.

The win moves the Devils officially into first place in the Atlantic Division, moving two points ahead of the idle Pittsburgh Penguins. New Jersey will remain in the nation’s capital for the next few days as they will play the Capitals again on Saturday at noon.