Devils’ Luke Hughes Breaks Record With 45th Point of Season
New Jersey Devils defenseman Luke Hughes etched his name into team history on Sunday night against the Nashville Predators.
Nov 30, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; New Jersey Devils defenseman Luke Hughes (43) scores the game winning goal in overtime against the Philadelphia Flyers at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports - Devils’ Luke Hughes Breaks Record With 45th Point of SeasonNew Jersey Devils defenseman Luke Hughes broke a team record en route to his team's eventual 3-2 shootout loss to the Nashville Predators.
He officially owns the record for most points earned by a rookie defenseman in a single season in team history, with 45, surpassing Will Butcher's record from the 2017-18 season.
Entering Sunday night's game, the 20-year-old was one point shy of breaking Butcher's record with 44 points.
His 45th point of the season came at the 1:49 mark of the first period.
Near his blue line, Luke Hughes passed the puck to his brother Jack Hughes, who was waiting near Nashville's blue line.
"I think there was a turnover, and I just got the puck in the neutral zone," Hughes said of the play. "I think they probably thought I was going to skate it in, but I just zipped it to Jack, and he did the rest. Nice shot."
The youngest Hughes brother's assist extended his point streak to seven games (one goal, six assists), the longest stretch that rookie defenseman earned in Devils team history since 1982-83.
Luke has appeared in 78 games this season and has the second-most points among league rookies behind Connor Bedard (59 points).
"I think I've developed really well this year," Hughes said. "I've liked my game all year, keep going and keep getting better every day."
[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6TqKq-_qehA[/embed]