Yahoo Sports 'He Was Outstanding': Devils' Coach Praises Jack Hughes Performance in 4-2 Loss to Blue Jackets
Determination.
That is the word that describes Jack Hughes' performance in the New Jersey Devils' 4-2 loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets on Thursday night.
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The 5-foot-11 forward played over 25 minutes and fired 13 shots on opposing goaltender Elvis Merzlikins, the most shots on goal an NHL player earned in a single game this season.
Hughes' eight shots on goal in the second period tied a career-high for the most he earned in a single period since Mar. 21, 2024, against the Winnipeg Jets.
"To me, this might have been Jack Hughes's best game of the season," head coach Sheldon Keefe said. "He was outstanding. He was either directly getting the shot and the chance himself or creating it for others and driving us down the ice. He wanted to win this game, and it was clear how determined he was to help lead the charge in the six-on-five situations.
"In the second and third period, I thought he was outstanding," he continued. "On a lot of other nights, he probably has three or four."
By the final horn, the 2019 first-overall pick earned the primary assist on Timo Meier's goal to extend his point streak to four games (two goals, five assists).
"He has got a massive competitive spirit," Luke Hughes said of his older brother. "He is the heart and soul of our team. Pushes until the very end, (and) he makes you want to compete more. Can't say enough."
Hughes' 13 shots on goal marked a career-high, surpassing the 11 shots he earned on Feb. 27, 2024, against the San Jose Sharks.
Luke Hughes was the other Devils goal scorer, while Ivan Provorov, Zach Werenski, and Sean Monahan (2) scored for the Blue Jackets.
Merzlikins made 40 saves on 42 shots. The Hughes brothers combined for 19 shots. By comparison, Columbus finished the game with 20 shots.
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