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New Jersey Devils: Jack Hughes Still Struggles Since Return From Injury

By Nick Villano

New Jersey Devils center Jack Hughes (86) skates toward his bench at the end of an overtime period against the Vegas Golden Knights at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports
New Jersey Devils center Jack Hughes (86) skates toward his bench at the end of an overtime period against the Vegas Golden Knights at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports /
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It’s been 10 games since Jack Hughes returned from his minor injury in February. In that time, he’s scored one goal. He was on pace to be a 50-goal scorer before the injury. The New Jersey Devils superstar stepped his game up this season, but we haven’t seen him take over a game in a few weeks.

Hughes had 18 points in the ten games leading up to his injury. He’s had nine since returning from injury. After he was held off the scoresheet again on Tuesday night against the Washington Capitals, it marks the first time since October Hughes was held without a point in back-to-back games.

Hughes isn’t bad by any means. He has nine points in 10 games. That’s fine, even if that was his pace for the entire season. However, he was on an MVP pace going into his injury. That is no longer the case. Between the injury, Connor McDavid’s torrid pace (although he got injured Thursday night as well), and his attempt to ease Timo Meier into the lineup likely takes him out of the race completely.

Even the advanced stats aren’t kind to Hughes. Over the last ten games, the Devils have been dominating possession. However, Hughes CF% is just around 55%. He ranks 13th on the Devils in that time period. He has been on the ice for 13 goals against in the past 10 games at 5v5. His line only scored six.

No other player has been on the ice for more goals against in that time. Not Ryan Graves, who has 32 more total minutes. Not Jesper Bratt, who was on the same line as Hughes. Even Dougie Hamilton, who’s had his issues on the defensive end. Hughes is leading the team in goals allowed.

We don’t need advanced stats to see Hughes is having issues. He’s been a little herky jerky on the ice. He’s been turning the puck over way too much. Hughes’s 11 giveaways lead the team over the past 10 games.

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The most concerning stat is Hughes has one rush attempt in the past 10 games. That’s Hughes’s bread and butter. Hughes is sixth in the league in rush attempts with 29 over the season. Hughes needs to get back to what he does best. Luckily, the Devils are getting scoring from other lines, Dawson Mercer especially. However, come playoff time, the Devils need Hughes to be hitting on all cylinders.

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