Jack Hughes Injured in Unexpected Accident

Jack Hughes, the star forward for the New Jersey Devils, is not anticipated to take the ice against the Washington Capitals due to an injury he sustained during dinner, not during a game.

Reports indicate that Hughes cut his hand in what officials have described as a “fluke accident” during a team dinner on Thursday. At this point, it’s uncertain how long the 24-year-old will be sidelined.

The Devils, currently holding a strong position in the Metropolitan Division with a record of 12-4-1, have seen Hughes contribute significantly this season, tallying 20 points with 10 goals and 10 assists over 17 games.

In fact, he recently assisted in the Devils’ dramatic 4-3 overtime victory against the Chicago Blackhawks on Wednesday. Though Hughes has shown great potential throughout his career, his time on the ice has frequently been hindered by injuries. Remarkably, he has only exceeded 63 games in a season once, during 2022-2023.

During that standout season, Hughes achieved a personal best, scoring 43 goals and adding 56 assists in 78 games, earning him a spot on the All-Star team. Last season, he also performed well, netting 27 goals and providing 43 assists in 62 games. Overall, he averages nearly a point per game across his career, with 371 points in 385 games.

If Hughes were to miss a significant period, it could be a considerable setback for the Devils. They are preparing to compete against the Capitals on Saturday at 7 p.m. ET without their young star.