Jack Hughes Exits Early in Devils Game, Injury Not Believed to Be Serious
For Devils fans, it was a moment they’ve seen too many times before - Jack Hughes heading down the tunnel mid-game, leaving a team already hanging by a thread to hold its collective breath once again.
Just over four minutes into the first period Thursday night, Hughes exited the game after an early shift. At first, it looked like a close call - he returned to the bench a few minutes later, giving a flicker of hope that whatever was bothering him wasn’t too serious.
But that hope didn’t last long. After a brief 42-second shift, Hughes skated off and disappeared down the tunnel once more.
This time, he didn’t come back.
The good news? Early indications suggest the injury isn’t expected to be long-term.
After the game, head coach Sheldon Keefe offered a measured but optimistic update, saying Hughes “tweaked something” and that the team doesn’t believe it’s anything serious in terms of recovery time. Keefe added that they’ll reassess Hughes’ availability for the upcoming road trip on Friday.
He later confirmed it was a lower-body injury.
Still, the timing couldn’t be worse.
The Devils are already in a tight spot, and that’s putting it mildly. Heading into Thursday’s game, their playoff odds sat at just 13.2% according to Moneypuck - a sobering stat that reflects their current position: seventh in the Metropolitan Division, seven points behind the New York Islanders for the third and final divisional playoff spot, with an equal number of games played.
In short, every game from here on out matters. A lot.
And that’s what makes Hughes’ absence - even if it’s short - such a gut punch. He’s not just the face of the franchise; he’s the engine that drives them.
When he’s on the ice, the Devils play faster, more creatively, and with a confidence that’s hard to replicate. When he’s not?
The drop-off is noticeable.
Injuries have unfortunately been a recurring theme throughout Hughes’ young career. Since entering the league, he’s missed 103 of a possible 506 games - just over 20%. And too often, those injuries have come at the exact moments the Devils needed him most.
This one also comes at a particularly inopportune time for Hughes personally. He’s slated to join Team USA in Milan for the 2026 Winter Olympics in just a couple of weeks. While there’s no indication yet that this injury will interfere with that plan, it’s certainly something to monitor.
For now, the Devils wait. And hope. Because if there’s any chance of salvaging this season, they’ll need their star center healthy - and fast.