Jack Hughes Will Determine How Far New Jersey Devils Go This Season 

Two weeks ago, the New Jersey Devils defeated the Anaheim Ducks to break a three-game losing streak. It was a much-needed win for a team whose play had been spiraling out of control for a period of time. Since then, and at the time of this writing, the Devils have won four of their last six and are playing with more cohesion in all three zones and an energy expected for a team with a combination of talent and grit in every personnel group.

One individual instrumental in the team’s recent success has been superstar forward Jack Hughes. After undergoing off-season shoulder surgery, Hughes is beginning to look more like the game-breaker he’s been known to be. Subsequently, it’s led to consistent offensive productivity for the New Jersey Devils over these past two weeks. Now, the Devils have higher expectations this year because of their upgraded goaltending. Jacob Markstrom and Jake Allen are no doubt the bridge to success for this Devils team, but the vehicle to cross the bridge remains the Devils' high-powered offense, and Jack Hughes must be behind the wheel. 

The acquisition of Jacob Markstrom immediately propelled the New Jersey Devils into contention this season. He, at this moment in time, boasts a 2.67 GA/G and .902 SV% through 12 games played. Now, it’s perfectly alright to be leery of goalie statistics simply because they tend not to address the entire situation. In both games against the Flames and Islanders, a total of six goals against could paint a poor portrait and contribute negatively to Markstrom's statistics.

Still, those games were not lost due to any poor performance by Jacob Markstrom but by defensive breakdowns and lackluster coverage. Simultaneously, in the games against Anaheim and Montréal, in which the Devils won, Markstrom was beaten by a few questionable goals. However, in all those games, the most significant factor has been the Devils' offense and their ability to generate scoring opportunities.

It’s a delicate topic, but there is no doubt that goaltending has and will give this team every opportunity to succeed. The Western Canada trip was a prime example. Acquiring Markstrom was the right move to make, considering how poor goaltending has negatively impacted this organization for years now. With strong goaltending, the Devils are now a true contender to bet on. However, there’s a reason goaltending was the final piece to the puzzle and that is the offense. The Devils' offense consists of some of the best talent in the league, and their ability to generate opportunities and score in transition is more than enough to win games and compete on a nightly basis. How far they go depends on how impactful Jack Hughes will be. 

Since the Anaheim game, Hughes has had eight points in six games. The two losses since then, against Calgary and San Jose, were unfortunate setbacks, but they only substantiate how important the offense is for this team. The Devils are finally a true contender because of their goaltending. That is clear and should be obvious. However, again, how far they go depends on their offense, and their offense is in the hands of number 86. 

Although many factors exist to help ensure the New Jersey Devils compete this year, Jack Hughes remains the impetus that will lead this team as far as it will go. Hughes’s confidence and ability are starting to heighten, and it’s shown in the past two weeks. The shutout losses are understandably frustrating for a fanbase expecting so much, but they are also frustrating for the team itself. In both shutout losses, the Devils had a combined 66 shots on goal. The offense is doing its job, generating opportunities, and finishing their chances. But, as was the case against San Jose, it’s a difficult challenge to consistently finish generated opportunities. Jack Hughes must and will be the deciding factor in finding that consistent rhythm. The schedule makers have not made things easy for this Devils team as they now attempt to right the wrongs from their 1-0 defeat Sunday night with a road trip to Florida, where they will face both teams who’ve represented the Eastern Conference in the Stanley Cup Final every year since 2020, in the Lightning and Panthers.