Jack Hughes opened the season by doing what the Devils needed most: finishing the job.
He scored the overtime winner in New Jersey’s 3-2 victory over the Philadelphia Flyers on ESPN Thursday night, and his younger brother Luke Hughes also found the net in the win. It was a strong start for the Devils - and for Jack Hughes personally, since he also handled an in-game interview between the first and second periods.
That conversation took an awkward turn when ESPN’s A.J. Mleczko brought up the finger injury Hughes suffered last season during a team dinner. The cut required surgery, cost him 18 games, and clearly was not something he was eager to joke about.
“Well, it’s great to see you healthy,” said Mleczko. “Let’s wrap you in bubble wrap and use plastic cutlery this year. Does that sound good?”
Hughes didn’t exactly play along.
“I mean, I think that’s a weird joke midgame,” he said before skating away.
The moment didn’t seem to bother him once the puck dropped back into play. Hughes still came through with the game-winner, and the Devils left with the opening-night result they wanted.
And for Hughes, it’s just the latest strange chapter in a busy stretch. He scored the game-winning goal in the Olympic gold medal game and then gave an interview with a bloody mouth.
He also went to the White House, had a disagreement with the Hall of Fame and appeared on “ Saturday Night Live.” On top of that, he dated and then broke up with Tate McRae.
Against that backdrop, a freak accident at a team dinner may have been the least delicate subject on the table.
In Other News...
Devils Rookie Is Forcing A Tough Call Before The Rangers Game
With the Devils getting ready for a crucial matchup against the Rangers, Sheldon Keefe is already making changes up front in an effort to tighten things before the puck drops. Anthony Mantha is being moved, Arseny Gritsyuk is getting a look on the top line, and the focus is squarely on keeping New Jersey out of trouble against a New York team that can make mistakes expensive.
Amadeus Lombardis recent penalties have put him in an awkward spot, and the coaching staff may decide the safest move is to sit the rookie rather than risk handing the Rangers extra chances on the power play. New Jersey is trying to build on its recent win and keep moving its record in the right direction, but the margin for error still looks thin with the Devils sorting through goaltending and defensive concerns at the same time. [Read more 🡒]
Devils Need More From These Forwards Before This Becomes A Problem
The Devils are still sorting out what this new-look roster really is after a 3-3 start, and the early read is pretty clear: Jack Hughes and Jesper Bratt are carrying the offense while the rest of the forward group has been slower to join in. New Jersey expected more depth scoring than this, especially with a handful of forwards in positions to make a bigger impact as the season settles in.
Dawson Mercer is the name that stands out most in that discussion, because the Devils were counting on a step forward and have not gotten much of one yet. Amadeus Lombardi and Timo Meier have also been light on production, which is fine for a week in October but starts to matter quickly if the scoring spread stays this narrow. The good news for New Jersey is that the season is young, and the issue is still fixable, but the pressure to get more from that group is only going to grow. [Read more 🡒]
Devils Fans Get An Early Rivalry Test Against The Rangers
The Hudson River Rivalry gets an early-season stage Thursday night at Prudential Center, where the Devils and Rangers are set to meet at 7 p.m. It is the kind of matchup that tends to carry a little more edge than a normal regular-season game, and Devils captain Nico Hischier, Jack Hughes, Connor Brown and Brett Pesce all weighed in on what makes the rivalry feel different.
For New Jersey, these games are about more than just points in the standings. The familiar tension with New York gives the night extra weight for the players and the building, and it also opens a season-long series that should keep both clubs thinking about the next meeting as much as the one in front of them. Thursday is only the first chance to see how the Devils handle that pressure this time around. [Read more 🡒]