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New Jersey Devils: Jack Hughes Scores First NHL Goal

By Vincent Parise

NEWARK, NJ - OCTOBER 19: Jack Hughes #86 of the New Jersey Devils reacts after scoring his first career NHL goal in the first period against the Vancouver Canucks at the Prudential Center on October 19, 2019 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Andy Marlin/NHLI via Getty Images)
NEWARK, NJ - OCTOBER 19: Jack Hughes #86 of the New Jersey Devils reacts after scoring his first career NHL goal in the first period against the Vancouver Canucks at the Prudential Center on October 19, 2019 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Andy Marlin/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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The New Jersey Devils’ number one overall pick Jack Hughes is finally in the goal column as he nets his first career NHL goal on Saturday.

The New Jersey Devils got their second win in a row over the Vancouver Canucks by a final score of 1-0. They defeated Vancouver on the back of a MacKenzie Blackwood shutout and Jack Hughes‘ first career NHL goal. The goal came on the power play on a beautiful pass, catch, and release play by Taylor Hall and Hughes. The power play now has two goals and Hughes is on the board in the NHL.

The headline going into the game was Jack going up against his brother Quinn Hughes for the first time in the pros. It did not disappoint. Both brothers played well but the younger one got the better of his older brother as he was able to help them secure the win by scoring his first NHL goal.

The goal has some similarities to Nico Hischier‘s first NHL goal, which came exactly two years later to the day. October 19th in 2017 and 2019 will be days fans remember forever. They also both came against a Canadian team and Taylor Hall assisted on both of them. It is great that the Devils have two franchise centers to build their team around.

Hughes appeared to gain his confidence back after getting his first NHL point with an assist against the New York Rangers on Thursday, and he carried that momentum into this game. With Hischier out for the second straight game with an injury, Hughes played once again on the top line with Hall and Kyle Palmieri. Once he scored his first goal, he appeared to have all of his confidence back and played so great the rest of the game. Every game appears to be a building block for him and he is getting better and better every time out.

light. Related Story. The Nico Hischier extension is so good for the New Jersey Devils

This is the last time the Devils will play for a while as they are not back in action again until Friday when the Arizona Coyotes come to Newark to play the Devils. That five-day rest will be good for the team to rest, recover, and practice. It should be enough time for Hischier and Will Butcher to recover from their injuries and be ready to go. It appears that this team has found its game and the slump to start the season is behind them.

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