Luke Hughes passed Will Butcher’s 23 power-play points for the most that a rookie defenseman earned in a single season for New Jersey Devils team history since 1982- 83.
On Thursday night, the New Jersey Devils hit the ice at Scotiabank Arena to conclude their season series against the Toronto Maple Leafs.
With seven minutes remaining in the first period, defenseman Luke Hughes received the puck from Jesper Bratt. The rookie skated near the Maple Leafs' blue line and moved the puck back to Bratt, who dished it to Timo Meier.
The Swiss power forward blasted the puck past opposing netminder Ilya Samsonov. The red light went off, signaling a good goal and a 3-2 New Jersey lead.
Hughes' secondary assist was also his 24th power-play point of the season, surpassing Will Butcher's 23 in the 2017-18 campaign for the most power-play points a rookie defenseman earned in a single season for Devils team history since 1982-83.
In the third period, Hughes was credited with the primary assist on Bratt's 26th goal of the season. It was the 20-year-old's second power-play point of the night. Per Devils' PR, it was the fifth time Hughes earned two or more power play-points in a game. His career-high is three points.
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With two games remaining in the 2023-24 regular season, Hughes' 25 points on the man advantage are third-most on the team behind Jack Hughes (31) and Bratt (27). For those curious, Scott Gomez's 27 power-play points in the 1999-00 season are the most that a rookie skater earned in a single campaign.
Since March 19, Hughes has earned a point in nine of his last 12 games (one goal, 13 assists). His 47 points this season are second-most among league rookies behind Chicago Blackhawks' Connor Bedard (59 points).
The Devils will conclude their season playing the Philadelphia Flyers on April 13 and the New York Islanders on April 15.