During Sunday night's game between the New Jersey Devils and the Vegas Golden Knights, Devils' leading scorer Jack Hughes sustained a potentially serious injury in the final minutes of the match. The incident occurred with just 1:48 left on the clock when Hughes collided with the Golden Knights' Jack Eichel, resulting in Hughes falling hard to the ice and clutching his right arm as he left the game.
Following the game, Devils coach Sheldon Keefe expressed concern over Hughes' injury, stating that the full extent of the situation was not immediately known. Keefe mentioned that the play leading to Hughes' injury was reminiscent of an earlier interference call against Hughes in the third period, which ultimately led to a goal for the Golden Knights.
Keefe's frustration with the referees' decisions boiled over, resulting in a game misconduct for the coach. He voiced his disagreement with the officiating, emphasizing the severity of the play that led to Hughes' injury.
Jack Hughes, who leads the Devils with 27 goals and 70 points, has been a key player for the team this season. His absence due to injury will undoubtedly impact the Devils, especially considering his significant contributions as a playmaker on the ice. The timing of Hughes' injury is unfortunate, coming shortly after goaltender Jacob Markstrom's return from an extended absence due to injury.
As the Devils await further updates on Hughes' condition, his teammates and the coaching staff are left to ponder the potential implications of his absence on the team's performance moving forward. Hughes' brother, Luke, displayed visible emotion upon entering the locker room post-game, highlighting the concern and uncertainty surrounding Jack Hughes' injury.
Despite the setback, the Devils will need to regroup and adjust their game plan in the absence of their star player. Hughes' impact on the team's offensive capabilities, particularly his playmaking abilities, will be sorely missed as the Devils navigate the remainder of the season without him.
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