The New Jersey Devils are walking a tightrope right now - stuck in the middle of a fiercely competitive Metropolitan Division playoff race, with little room for error and even less margin for injury. But just when things started to look bleak, Jack Hughes returned to the lineup - and his presence has been nothing short of a game-changer.
Yes, the team took a hit losing defenseman Luke Hughes to a long-term shoulder injury, and that stings. But there’s still a pulse - and it’s beating strong thanks to the older Hughes brother, who’s picked up right where he left off before a freak injury sidelined him in November.
Jack Hughes: The Spark the Devils Needed
Let’s rewind for a second. In mid-November, Jack Hughes was sidelined after an off-ice accident during a team dinner led to finger surgery.
It was an unexpected blow - and the Devils felt it. Without their star center, New Jersey went 8-10-0 across 18 games.
And the cracks in the foundation were exposed: the offense sputtered, the penalty kill couldn’t hold up, and their 5-on-5 play dipped into the danger zone.
They were shut out three times and endured a five-game losing streak during that stretch. Simply put, the Devils without Jack Hughes were a team searching for answers.
Then came his return in late December - ahead of schedule, no less - and it was like flipping a switch. In his first game back, he netted the Devils’ only goal in a 3-1 loss to Buffalo.
Since then, even though he hasn’t lit the lamp himself, he’s been the engine behind the offense. So far this month, Hughes has dished out 10 assists - including three multi-point outings - and he’s been generating chances at a high clip.
He’s recorded three or more shots on goal in eight of his last 11 games, and his ice time speaks volumes. Against Winnipeg, he logged a jaw-dropping 27:04 - the kind of workload usually reserved for a top-pair defenseman.
That tells you everything about his value to this team. He’s not just back - he’s driving play, creating offense, and giving the Devils a fighting chance every night.
Chemistry in Motion: Finding the Right Line Combinations
One of the most impressive aspects of Hughes’ return has been his ability to adapt - and thrive - with a rotating cast of linemates.
Lately, he’s been centering Timo Meier and Jesper Bratt, and that trio has clicked. During the Devils’ current three-game win streak, the Meier-Hughes-Bratt line has combined for 34 shot attempts and 20 scoring chances. That’s the kind of pressure you want from your top line - sustained, relentless, and dangerous.
But Hughes’ impact hasn’t stopped there. He’s also found strong chemistry with captain Nico Hischier, especially on the power play.
Hughes has assisted on four of Hischier’s recent goals - three of them coming with the man advantage. Their most electric performance came in a win over the Seattle Kraken, where Hughes set up Hischier for both a power-play goal and the overtime game-winner.
The numbers back up what the eye test already shows: when Hughes and Hischier are on the ice together, good things happen. They’ve been on the ice for nine high-danger goals, and Hischier’s high-danger chances for percentage (HDCF%) jumps nearly 40% when paired with Hughes. That’s not just chemistry - that’s synergy at an elite level.
And that’s the beauty of Hughes’ game. He’s not just a scorer or a playmaker - he’s a facilitator.
Plug him in anywhere, and he makes the players around him better. That kind of versatility is rare, and it’s exactly what the Devils need as they navigate the second half of the season.
The Road Ahead: Hughes as the Devils’ Compass
With six games left before the All-Star break, the Devils are three points out of a playoff spot. Every shift, every period, every point matters - and Hughes will be at the center of it all.
He’s skating at nearly a point-per-game pace and has a plus-10 goal differential when he’s on the ice. According to MoneyPuck, he’s averaging 2.73 points per 60 minutes - a number that puts him in elite company among NHL forwards.
And while he’s been racking up assists lately, the goals will come. The process is strong, the chances are there, and Hughes is playing with the kind of confidence that can tilt a game in a single shift.
He also just hit a significant milestone - his 400th NHL game - and he’s closing in on 400 career points. That kind of production, especially at just 24 years old, speaks volumes about his consistency and growth.
But Hughes’ impact won’t be limited to the NHL stage. Next month, he’ll suit up for Team USA in the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy.
It’ll be his Olympic debut, and this time, he’ll be joined by his older brother, Quinn. Last year, Jack was the only Hughes brother to take part in the 4 Nations Face-Off.
Now, they’ll get the chance to represent their country together on the sport’s biggest stage.
“USA Hockey is in a great place,” Hughes said recently. “This is the biggest stage. A great opportunity…We’re confident in our group.”
That confidence is contagious - and if his current form is any indication, Hughes is ready to make his mark on the international stage just as he’s doing in New Jersey.
Bottom Line: Hughes is the Heartbeat of the Devils
There’s no sugarcoating it - the Devils have had an up-and-down season. But with Jack Hughes back in the mix and firing on all cylinders, there’s real reason for optimism. He’s the kind of player who can carry a team, who can change the complexion of a game, and who makes everyone around him better.
As the playoff push heats up, New Jersey will lean heavily on their star center. And if Hughes keeps playing at this level, don’t be surprised if the Devils make a serious run - because when he’s on the ice, anything feels possible.