Jack Hughes Predicts ‘Big Games’ For Devils Top Line Ahead

NEWARK — Jack Hughes certainly had an extra gear on Thursday night. According to the New Jersey Devils superstar, he was just happy to be home.

The Devils were on a three-game western Canada road trip for over a week, in which they collected four of a possible six points. Along the way, Hughes scored just a goal and an assist against the Vancouver Canucks earlier in the trip. However, on home ice and in front of Devils fans, Hughes was dancing with the puck on the end of his stick all night.

“It was definitely nice to be back in my apartment, just be back home and stuff. Like, that’s honestly about it,” Hughes explained to New Jersey Hockey Now.

The Devils superstar collected a goal and two assists against the Montreal Canadiens en route to a 5-3 victory in regulation.

Devils Postgame: Jack Hughes Dazzles, Propels Imperfect 5-3 Win Over Canadiens

Jack wasn’t the only Devils to collect three points on the top line, however. Jesper Bratt registered the reverse Hughes, depositing two goals and dishing an assist.

Not only did Hughes and Bratt rack up the points, but they each dominated their shifts with elite playmaking, including the opening goal of the game when Hughes dazzled through the slot and fed Bratt for an easy tap-in goal.

“It was clear, I mean that goal to start the game,” Keefe started. “It’s pretty indicative of their night, and Jack in particular. He starts the game for us great like that. Then he ends or seals the game with his effort defensively to help the goalie out there too. So yeah, real good effort by him.”

Following the 5-3 victory, Hughes predicted the collective seven point night for the top trio was just the beginning of big games ahead.

“I think we’ve had, honestly, a really good last bunch of games. I think we’re knocking on the door for some big games here,” Hughes said. “Tonight was one of those. I thought we played well in Calgary. That was just a tight game and we missed our chances. In Vancouver and Edmonton, we played well too. So we’re in a good spot as a line. We just got to keep going.”

Hughes collected two primary assists on each of the Devils’ first two goals on Thursday. The second, to Ondrej Palat, who has skated with Jack and Bratt more recently, and scored his second goal of the season.

“He’s a really smart player to play with. He knows that me and Bratt want to play in the high ice and play with the puck where there’s space, Hughes explained. “I think he does a really good job of complimenting us and going to the net and kind of getting those greasy pucks in the corner and retrieving them for us. I think we’ve done well. And like I said, I think we’re gonna, you know, pop here in the next few weeks.”

Since Keefe has put Palat on the Hughes line, the veteran forward has collected two goals and four points.

As Jack Hughes goes, so do the Devils. Dating back to last season, Palat admitted he wanted to score more goals. He’s only collected two thus far, but it’s evident the chemistry is building. As for Bratt, he’s looking to reach new heights, as he’s done in each of the last few seasons.

And although Bratt is his own elite talent, when Hughes is playing like the superstar that he can be, it can only mean good things for his line and for the Devils.

“Jack’s played well for a while now. I think he’s a confident guy, a good player,” Keefe explained. “Back on home ice after a good road trip. He scored earlier, or at least made a play early with his line that scored early. That helps. That always helps. You know, I find players like Jack, those offensive guys, who they get one early, and they get really rolling and feeling good. So that goes a long way.”

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