The New Jersey Devils faced off against the Winnipeg Jets on Friday night, but the game was overshadowed by the absence of star defenseman Luke Hughes. Despite taking warmups, Hughes did not take the ice for the matchup at the Canada Life Centre, as he was held out due to precautionary reasons related to a lower-body injury.
Earlier on Friday, Hughes was also missing from the morning skate, raising concerns among fans. The 21-year-old defenseman has been a key player for the Devils this season, accumulating six goals and 32 assists for a total of 38 points across 64 games. His performance has been particularly impressive, as he has stepped up in the absence of fellow defenseman Dougie Hamilton, who is also sidelined with an injury.
Hughes has been enjoying a solid sophomore season, with one goal and 11 assists in his last 11 games. His consistent play has made him just the second defenseman in franchise history to register consecutive 30-assist seasons since Brian Rafalski achieved the feat between 2000 and 2007. However, with Hughes out, the Devils had to rely on Dennis Cholowski, whom they acquired from the New York Islanders at the 2025 NHL Trade Deadline.
The Devils have been plagued by injuries this season, with Hughes joining a list that includes Dougie Hamilton, his brother Jack Hughes, and Jonas Siegenthaler. The news of Hughes’ absence came as a surprise, especially after his stellar performance two nights prior, where he recorded three primary assists in the Devils' victory over the Chicago Blackhawks.
On the other side of the rink, the Winnipeg Jets were riding high after securing their playoff spot with a thrilling 3-2 overtime victory against the Washington Capitals just days earlier. This win made them only the second NHL franchise to secure a postseason berth this year. However, they were not without their challenges, as they were missing key players Gabriel Vilardi and Neal Pionk due to injuries.
The Jets entered the game with a record of 49 wins, 19 losses, and 4 overtime losses, while the Devils stood at 38 wins, 28 losses, and 7 overtime losses. Winnipeg was looking to maintain their position at the top of the Central Division, with the Dallas Stars closely trailing behind, keeping the magic number at 8 for the Jets to secure the division title.
Mark Scheifele, one of the Jets’ top scorers, was expected to step up in Vilardi's absence. Scheifele has had a remarkable season, scoring 21 goals at home, although he was currently in the midst of a goal drought that had lasted over three weeks. His last goal came during a stretch where he had failed to find the net in nine consecutive games, but the opportunity against a Devils team struggling defensively could be just what he needed to break that streak.
The Devils' defense has faced significant challenges recently, ranking 24th in expected goals against and 26th in goals allowed at 5v5 play over the last ten games. Their penalty-killing metrics have also dipped, placing them 23rd in expected goals allowed during the same period. This has led to them conceding at least three goals in five of their last six games, a trend that could spell trouble against a potent Jets offense.
As the puck dropped at 8:00 p.m. ET, the atmosphere in Winnipeg was electric, with fans ready to witness the return of former Jets players Brenden Dillon and Johnny Kovacevic, who were set to face their old team. The matchup was particularly intriguing given the Jets’ previous encounter with the Devils, where they delivered a decisive 6-1 blowout victory early in March, with Nikolaj Ehlers leading the charge with three points.
The game was broadcast live on TSN3, and fans were eager to see how the two teams would match up this time around. With the Jets looking to solidify their playoff position and the Devils fighting to stay relevant in the playoff race, both teams had a lot on the line.
As the game progressed, the tension mounted. The Jets, bolstered by their home crowd, aimed to exploit the Devils' defensive vulnerabilities while the Devils sought to find their footing despite their injury struggles. Fans were left wondering if Scheifele would finally break his goal drought and if the Devils could overcome the odds stacked against them.
With the stakes high and the playoffs looming, the matchup between the Jets and the Devils promised to be an exciting chapter in the NHL season. As both teams battled it out on the ice, the outcome remained uncertain, but one thing was clear: the intensity of the game was palpable, and the players were ready to give it their all.
Stay tuned as this developing story unfolds, with updates on player performances, injuries, and the final outcome of this thrilling contest.
