The New Jersey Devils have officially announced that defensemen Luke Hughes and Brenden Dillon will be out of the lineup for Game 3 against the Carolina Hurricanes.
Hughes and Dillon each did not play in Game 2 after suffering injuries in Game 1. Now, Devils head coach Sheldon Keefe has confirmed that the pair are still, unfortunately, not good enough to return in a massive Game 3 for New Jersey.
This is certainly tough news for the Devils, as Hughes and Dillon are both incredibly important parts of their blueline. However, they will now look to adjust and avoid going down 3-0 in the series by picking up a win from here.
Hughes, 21, appeared in 71 games this season with the Devils, where he had seven goals, 37 assists, and 44 points. The Devils certainly benefitted from Hughes' offensive production this campaign, and they will undoubtedly miss him in Game 3.
As for Dillon, he had two goals, 14 assists, 16 points, 191 hits, and a plus-8 rating in 82 contests this season for the Devils. His steady defensive play and immense physicality make him a valuable part of the Devils' blueline.
It will now be interesting to see how the Devils adjust without having Hughes and Dillon in the lineup for Game 3 from here.
Recent Devils News
Devils Call Up Several Players Ahead Of Game 3
The <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-jersey-devils">New Jersey Devils</a> have <a href="https://x.com/NJDevils/status/1915420517261050124?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Etweet">announced that they</a> have recalled Brian Halonen, Mike Hardman, Nathan Legare, Marc McLaughlin, Topias Vilen, Colton White, and Isaac Poulter <a href="https://x.com/InStilettos_NHL/status/1915107697910862295?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Etweet">from their American Hockey League</a> (AHL) affiliate, the Utica Comets.
3 New Jersey Devils Who Must Shine In Game 3
The <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-jersey-devils">New Jersey Devils</a> are set to play a crucial Game 3 against the Carolina Hurricanes on April 25. After losing each of their first two games of the series, the
<a href="https://news.google.com/publications/CAAqBwgKMK-q0gsw7sXpAw/sections/CAQqEAgAKgcICjCvqtILMO7F6QMwpeDfCA?hl=en-CA&gl=CA&ceid=CA%3Aen">Devils</a> desperately need a win to keep their hopes alive. Going down 3-0 would be brutal for New Jersey.
Devils Need To Give Jacob Markstrom More Offense
The start of the <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-jersey-devils/">New Jersey Devils</a>' first-round series against the Carolina Hurricanes has been the exact opposite of what the team had hoped for. The <a href="https://news.google.com/publications/CAAqBwgKMK-q0gsw7sXpAw/sections/CAQqEAgAKgcICjCvqtILMO7F6QMwpeDfCA?hl=en-CA&gl=CA&ceid=CA%3Aen">Devils</a> have lost each of their first two games of the series and are now just two more losses away from being knocked out of the first round.