New Jersey Devils forwards Jack Hughes, Jesper Bratt, and Ondrej Palat combined for seven points in their team's 5-3 victory over the Montreal Canadiens.
New Jersey Devils forwards Jack Hughes, Jesper Bratt, and Ondrej Palat combined for seven points in their team's 5-3 victory over the Montreal Canadiens.
New Jersey Devils fans have seen glimpses of a line featuring Ondrej Palat, Jack Hughes, and Jesper Bratt dating back to the 2022-23 season. So, it should be no surprise that the trio has exploded offensively over the past five games, combining for 16 points.
The Hughes line led the Devils to a 5-3 victory over the Montreal Canadiens on Thursday contributing seven points and 14 shots.
With Bratt and Hughes continuing to prove they are offensive weapons, each collected three points against Montreal, it is the play of Palat that has been underappreciated by many because his contributions don't necessarily show up on the scoresheet.
"He creates a lot of space for me and Jack out there," Bratt said. "Takes the job that sometimes is a tough job that fans and other people don't notice on the ice, to create space for players like us."
"(Palat) knows that me and Bratt want to play in the high ice and play with the puck where there's space," Hughes said. "He does a really good job of complimenting us, going to the net and getting those greasy pucks in the corner, retrieving them for us."
The former Tampa Bay Lightning forward has handled the start of the season with grace as he saw himself moved up and down the lineup including a handful of games on the fourth line where his ice time was reduced to 10 minutes.
Palat's professionalism has never waivered.
"He knows he is an important guy for our group no matter what happens," Hischier said of Palat on Oct. 30.
Right now the Hughes line is being rewarded because of the performance of all three players and according to the star center, things are only just beginning.
"I think we have done well, and I think we're going to pop here in the next few weeks," Hughes said.
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