Jack Hughes Exits Early with Injury - Again - as Devils’ Struggles Continue
Jack Hughes’ night ended almost as quickly as it began on Thursday, and for the New Jersey Devils, it’s a storyline that’s becoming all too familiar.
The 24-year-old center left the game against the Nashville Predators not once, but twice during the first period, eventually heading to the locker room for good. He didn’t return for the second period, and while the nature of the injury remains unclear, the concern is real - both for Hughes’ health and for a Devils team that’s already reeling.
Hughes logged just three shifts and 2:27 of ice time before exiting. His final shift lasted 56 seconds, ending at the 7:31 mark of the opening period. After that, he was seen heading down the tunnel with a trainer.
It’s another tough break for a player who’s already had his season interrupted once. Back in November, Hughes underwent surgery after injuring his finger during a team dinner in Chicago - a bizarre moment that cost him 19 games during a pivotal stretch of the season. Add that to last year’s shoulder injury, which ended his season after a collision with the boards against Vegas, and you start to see a pattern that’s as frustrating as it is unfortunate.
When healthy, Hughes has been nothing short of elite. He’s not just producing at a point-per-game pace - 36 points in 36 games, with 12 goals and 24 assists - he’s been the heartbeat of the Devils’ offense.
His creativity, speed, and vision set the tone whenever he’s on the ice. He’s also slated to represent Team USA at the upcoming Olympics, a testament to his standing as one of the league’s premier young talents.
But the Devils can’t catch a break. At 27-24-2, they’re hovering near the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings, and with back-to-back losses, momentum is slipping. Losing Hughes for any stretch of time - again - would only compound the issues for a team that’s already searching for answers.
Head coach Sheldon Keefe is expected to provide an update on Hughes after the game. Until then, all eyes will be on the status of No. 86 - because if the Devils are going to climb out of this hole, they’ll need their star center leading the way.