Luke Hughes has tallied four points in his last three games, scoring one goal and three assists. In the Devils' win over Washington, Hughes posted one goal and one assist while several key players, including his brother Jack, were out.
Hughes assisted on the first goal to Arseny Gristyuk and scored the second with a wrist shot.
After the win, Devils captain Nico Hischier spoke about the team’s performance with NHL.com.
“They had a push and scored on us, but we didn’t break, so that’s obviously a positive,” Hischier said. “We battled until the end. Jake did an unbelievable job again, and we got the win somehow.”
As Hughes scored his season’s first goal, Jesper Bratt was hit by Alex Ovechkin and needed help off the ice.
Bratt missed Monday’s practice but will travel with the team to Tampa Bay.
Despite mounting injuries, the Devils, led by young players like Hughes, remain atop the Metropolitan Division with a 13-4-1 record.
Coach Sheldon Keefe praised the team’s resilience to NHL.com.
“We know we’re a good team, we believe in our group,” Keefe said. “We’re not a one-man team. We’ve been dealing with injuries and adversity all year, finding ways to score points and stay alive in games. The guys just played incredibly hard here today.”
With defenders out, Ethan Edwards was called up Monday morning. At practice, Edwards skated with Hughes, while Brendan Dillon, who practiced alone earlier, will join the road trip.
Keefe clarified Dillon’s lineup status to the media and The Hockey News' Kristy Flannery.
"He's expected to play tomorrow," Keefe said.
The lineup for Saturday’s game against Washington looked like:
Meier - Hischier - Bratt
Cotter - Mercer - Gritsyuk
Palat - Lammikko - Noesen
Lachance - Glendening - Legare
Siegenthaler - Nemec
Dillon - Hughes
Cholowski - White
Allen
Markstrom
With Hughes contributing at both ends, the Devils have continued their strong start to the 2025-26 season. Keefe said to NHL.com, “Our defensive play has been far, far better.”
That improvement has allowed them to stay in games, push matchups long, and avoid giving opponents “free offense.”
As the team now gears up for tomorrow’s matchup against the Tampa Bay Lightning, their recent efforts and depth will once again be tested.
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