New Jersey Devils star forward Jack Hughes exited Friday’s 4-1 loss to the St. Louis Blues with an upper-body injury and did not return. Here’s what you need to know:
- Hughes crashed hard into the boards midway through the first period after trying to split two defenders on a drive to the net, with his right shoulder and head appearing to take the brunt of the impact.
- He was slow to get up and eventually headed to the Devils’ locker room after logging 3:55 of ice time. He did not return for the start of the second period and was officially ruled out ahead of the third.
- Devils coach Lindy Ruff told reporters after the game that Hughes will be evaluated Saturday “and we’ll see where we’re at.”
- The 22-year-old center entered Friday leading the NHL in points (20) and assists (15).
Backstory
Hughes, selected by New Jersey with the No. 1 pick in the 2019 NHL Draft, led the Devils with 43 goals and 56 assists across 78 games in 2022-23.
Friday’s loss to St. Louis snapped a three-game win streak, but New Jersey remains in second place in the Metropolitan Division with a 6-3-1 record.
What they’re saying
“I’m not going to lie, we were a little dejected when it happened,” Devils forward Curtis Lazar said of Hughes’ injury after the game. “Again, you’ve got to turn the page when you realize he’s not coming back and it’s alright, next man up.”
“I didn’t see it,” Blues goaltender Jordan Binnington said. “I just kind of heard him go into the boards. But hopefully he’s all right.”
Required reading
(Photo: Jeff Curry / USA Today)