Jack Hughes’s First Hat Trick Leads New Jersey Devils To Win

NEWARK, NJ - NOVEMBER 23: Jack Hughes #86 of the New Jersey Devils looks on prior to the game against the Toronto Maple Leafs at the Prudential Center on November 23, 2022 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
NEWARK, NJ - NOVEMBER 23: Jack Hughes #86 of the New Jersey Devils looks on prior to the game against the Toronto Maple Leafs at the Prudential Center on November 23, 2022 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)

Even though the New Jersey Devils have been one of the best teams in the National Hockey League, they haven’t been able to beat the Washington Capitals in a while. That team has had their number a little bit for several years now.

Of course, with some of the players that they have on that team, it is easy to understand why they have been so good. Most of their core was there when they won the Stanley Cup in 2018.

They have fallen off a bit, but they still have guys like Alex Ovechkin, T.J. Oshie, and John Carlson, amongst others contributing.

In this game on Saturday night, New Jersey got out to a 1-0 lead thanks to a goal by Nico Hischier. The New Jersey captain has been so amazing this year and so much fun to watch. His development has been as impressive as anyone on the team.

It looked like this game was going to be the Nico Hischier show because he was buzzing early. He remained on fire in this game, but that would be the end of his offensive output for the night.

The New Jersey Devils got everything they needed from their stars in this one.

Later in the game, Jack Hughes made a phenomenal play to intercept a pass and take it to the goal mouth. He deked himself out of a shot, so he banked it off the goalie’s skate and into the net. It was a spectacular goal.

It wasn’t even the most impressive goal of the night, though, because he scored a goal from the goal line, and it banked in off the goalie’s head. He didn’t have much room for error on the shot, and he didn’t miss.

It was a solid two-goal performance for him, except he wasn’t done. Erik Haula made a great play to find Jack Hughes for a high-danger chance, and he did not miss his shot. His first career hat trick was a natural hat trick at home against these Caps.

Later in the game, John Carlson scored a power-play goal to break the shutout for Vitek Vanecek, who was brilliant otherwise. He made 37 saves on 38 shots as the Caps did test him despite not coming close on the scoreboard.

Fabian Zetterlund scored to ensure the Devils’ lead would get back to four. It was a nice goal scored by New Jersey’s new-look fourth line. The final score would stand at 5-1. 

It is a new look fourth line because of the fact that Nathan Bastian didn’t return because of an injury. We can only hope that he is okay.

Nights like these are the ones we dreamed of when the New Jersey Devils won both lotteries. Hughes had a hat trick, but Hischier was amazing as well. Both are bought into what the team tries to do, and it shows.

Pucks And Pitchforks
Pucks And Pitchforks

Want your voice heard? Join the Pucks And Pitchforks team!

Write for us!

Their next game is a big one. They will face a big rival in the New York Rangers. The Rangers came into this year expecting to be much better than New Jersey, but that hasn’t happened yet. This game will be so much fun as the two reunite as rivals again.