UPDATED: Jack Hughes OUT for Devils vs. Islanders on Friday

ELMONT — When the New Jersey Devils hit the ice on Friday for warmups against the New York Islanders, Jack Hughes was absent. The Devils superstar center was a scratch from the lineup, despite the belief the full roster heading to Prague would play.

According to the Devils, Hughes is just getting an extra night of rest. On Friday morning, he took his usual spot in line rushes between Timo Meier and Jesper Bratt on the first line during morning skate. However, after practice was over and the first group who was assumed playing on Long Island hit the showers, Hughes remained on the ice.

After the Devils’ 5-1 loss on Friday night, Head coach Sheldon Keefe provided an update on the Devils forward.

“He got a Charlie horse in the last game he played. It’s very minor,” Keefe explained. “Obviously, he practiced today. In fact, once we made the decision to not play him here tonight, he stayed and got extra work with the second group. So if this is the regular season game, he’s absolutely playing. But, he’s of the mind that he wants to be certain that he’s 100% when we get to Prague. So we gave him the day here today. We expect him to be ready to go and ready to be Jack when we get to Prague.”

The Devils’ superstar got more work in with the second training camp group on Friday morning, resulting in Hughes’ absence from the lineup on Friday night.

#NJDevils say it's just a night of rest.

Skated with both groups at morning skate. https://t.co/p7WIuQjgAS

— James Nichols (@JamesNicholsNHL) September 27, 2024

Hughes — as well as Meier — was held out of the Devils’ first preseason game against the Islanders as well. Keefe explained it was for rest purposes then as well, following offseason shoulder surgery. He gave the same explanation for Meier.

However, Meier is in the lineup on Friday night. And Hughes is not.

Hughes has not been labeled as injured, and there’s no confirmation he’s dealing with anything of the sort.

Yet, on Wednesday against the Washington Capitals, Hughes took a bump in the first period that caused him to limp off the ice. He remained on the bench, spoke with medical staff, however, was on the ice for the very next shift with his line.

Hughes’ preseason will end with him playing in just one matchup, scoring one goal on four shots and a minus-two.

Paul Cotter skated in the first line center position for the Devils in Hughes’ place.

The Devils leave for Prague on Sunday, Sept. 29th.

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