James Nichols
The Olympic break is over and the NHL schedule resumes tonight. The New Jersey Devils will host the Buffalo Sabres in one of eight games on the return to play doc. It’s a quick turnaround from the Olympic Games, to Team USA celebrating their victory in Miami, and then visiting the White House in Washington D.C. So, will Devils franchise forward, Jack Hughes, play in Newark tonight?
According to the Devils, Hughes will not take part in morning skate on Wednesday after traveling back from the White House to New Jersey late Tuesday night.
He will, however, hold a post-game press conference which is going to be separate from post-game locker room media scrums with players and head coach Sheldon Keefe.
The Devils do anticipate Hughes will dress and play against the Sabres when the puck drops around 7:08 P.M. ET.
Hughes scored the golden goal for Team USA to propel them past Canada, capping off a tremendous tournament for the Devils franchise face after facing some criticisms before the Olympic Games began.
Hughes netted four goals—which led Team USA—and seven points in six games during the tournament.
What started as a trial run on the fourth line following a disappointing 4 Nations Face-Off tournament last season ended in glory as he became America’s hero, helping capture gold for the first time since the 1980 Miracle on Ice.
Now, the focus shifts back to New Jersey where the Devils have a 2.4% chance at making the playoffs. There are 25 games remaining on the Devils’ schedule, and they sit 11 points out of playoff position to the New York Islanders in the Metropolitan Division and Boston Bruins in the Eastern Conference Wild Card race.
In 36 games for the Devils this season, Hughes netted 12 goals and 37 points despite missing 21 games due to two separate injuries.
