Jack Hughes’ Injury Clouds Devils’ Loss to Golden Knights

Jack Hughes’ Injury Clouds Devils’ Loss to Golden Knights

In a game that was already proving challenging for the New Jersey Devils, the night took a turn for the worse when their star center, Jack Hughes, exited the ice due to an injury. The Devils were facing off against the Vegas Golden Knights on Sunday night, and the game ended in a 2-0 loss for New Jersey. The incident occurred in the third period, adding to the Devils’ woes.

With the Devils trailing 2-0, Jack Hughes and his brother, defenseman Luke Hughes, were making a push into the Vegas zone on a 2-on-1 play. As Jack approached the Golden Knights’ goal, he got tangled up with Vegas forward Jack Eichel. This unfortunate entanglement led to Hughes tumbling to the ice and crashing into the boards behind the net with just 1:48 left in the game.

After the game, New Jersey coach Sheldon Keefe expressed his concern, stating, “Real hard to see him go down. There’s no update. He’s going to have to be evaluated. Obviously, it didn’t look good. We’re going to have to take our time to know the full extent of it.”

Keefe was visibly frustrated with the officiating, arguing that the collision with Eichel should have been called for a tripping minor. His protests led to a game misconduct penalty, as the Devils’ record on their five-game trip fell to 2-2. The trip is set to conclude on Tuesday against the Dallas Stars.

“It was a similar play that [Hughes] got called on earlier in the period. Not only is he injured on the play, but there’s no call,” Keefe said. “I get kicked off the bench for telling the referee I felt it was 10 times worse than the one previously called on Jack.”

Jack Hughes, at 23 years old, is a former No. 1 pick and a crucial player for the Devils, leading the team in goals (27) and points (70) this season. His absence could significantly impact the Devils, who have been struggling offensively in the new calendar year. With the trade deadline approaching on Friday, any prolonged absence from Hughes might force the team to reconsider their strategies.

Last season, Hughes missed 20 games due to injury, finishing with 74 points as the Devils failed to qualify for the postseason. The season before, he played in 78 games and posted a career-high 99 points, helping New Jersey secure the No. 2 seed in the Metropolitan Division and advance to the second round.

Interestingly, Eichel and Hughes were teammates just last month, representing the United States in the 4 Nations Face-Off. This adds a layer of complexity to the incident, as both players are familiar with each other’s playing styles.

• Jack Hughes’ current season stats: 27 goals, 70 points
• Devils’ current road trip record: 2-2
• Upcoming game: Against the Dallas Stars

The Devils and their fans will be anxiously awaiting updates on Hughes’ condition, hoping for a quick recovery. As the team prepares for their next game, the focus will be on how they can adapt without their star player, should he be sidelined for an extended period.