The New Jersey Devils are once again forced to navigate the season without one of their most dynamic talents, as Jack Hughes is expected to miss time after injuring his hand in an unexpected incident during a team dinner on Thursday. What the organization is describing as a “freak accident” has quickly become the latest setback in a year filled with untimely injuries. Hughes, who had been off to a blistering start with 10 goals and 20 points through 17 games, is undergoing further evaluation and does not yet have a projected return date. He was ruled out of Saturday’s matchup against the Washington Capitals, leaving the Devils to recalibrate their lineup yet again.
The New Jersey Devils return to the spotlight tonight as they continue their road swing with a matchup against the Washington Capitals at Capital One Arena. The team arrives in the nation’s capital riding the high of an overtime victory earlier this week, but they’ll once again be forced to battle through the unexpected loss of their top scorer. Jack Hughes, who has been the engine of the Devils’ offense all season, remains sidelined with a hand injury suffered in an off-ice incident. His absence adds a layer of complexity to a game that already carries weight for both clubs.
New Jersey enters the contest with renewed confidence after its dramatic 4–3 win over Chicago, a game punctuated by an unforgettable performance from Simon Nemec. The young defenseman delivered the first hat trick of his career and sealed the win with the overtime finisher, a moment that not only energized the locker room but also underscored how vital New Jersey’s young core has become. With Hughes unavailable, Nemec’s two-way play and growing offensive instinct make him one of the most intriguing players to watch tonight. Fans looking to follow the latest developments throughout the season can explore our coverage of the New Jersey Devils anytime.
The Devils will need contributions from throughout the lineup, as the injury list continues to impact their structure. Connor Brown and Zack MacEwen remain on injured reserve, and the coaching staff has had to adjust both forward combinations and special-teams roles to compensate. Yet despite the unexpected hurdles, New Jersey’s pace-driven offense and possession-focused approach continue to create opportunities, even with key personnel unavailable.
Their opponent tonight, the Washington Capitals, is grappling with very different challenges. The Capitals have dropped seven of their last nine games, including a 6–3 defeat to Florida that exposed ongoing special-teams problems. Both the power play and penalty kill rank near the bottom of the league, a troubling trend for a veteran-heavy roster trying to find rhythm. Still, Tom Wilson has emerged as a bright spot over the last stretch, tallying five goals and two assists in his past ten games. With Washington set to play seven of its next eight at home, this matchup could set the tone for a crucial segment of their season.
The Devils, meanwhile, must find offensive consistency without their most explosive playmaker. New Jersey has relied heavily on Hughes to carry possession through the neutral zone and generate high-danger chances, so tonight’s game will test how effectively the team can support its centers and create offense by committee. The recent surge from players stepping into bigger roles — including the promising performances from rookies and depth forwards — will be essential.
On the other side, Washington’s ability to solve its special-teams concerns could determine the flow of the game. With both units ranked near the bottom of the league, the Capitals must make significant adjustments or risk giving New Jersey prime opportunities to dictate the pace. For a team that thrives in transition and at controlling tempo early, even a single power-play swing could reshape the contest.
As the Devils prepare to take the ice in D.C., their resilience remains the central storyline of the season. Injuries continue to test the group’s depth, but the emergence of younger players and the adaptability of the coaching staff have kept New Jersey competitive in a challenging stretch. Tonight’s game offers another chance to build momentum, maintain pressure on divisional rivals and send a message that adversity won’t derail their ambitions.
For a team that has battled adversity from almost every angle, the loss of Hughes is another frustrating twist. Even veteran defenseman Brenden Dillon recently joked that the Devils “should sage the place,” capturing the feeling around the locker room as injuries continue to stack up. Still, the club presses forward, leaning on depth, development and resilience — themes that have defined the young core over the past several seasons. Fans can revisit the organization’s evolution and season coverage on our dedicated New Jersey Devils page.
With Hughes out, the Devils made several roster adjustments heading into the weekend. Forward Shane Lachance has been recalled from Utica (AHL), stepping into a lineup that suddenly needs fresh energy. Connor Brown and Zack MacEwen were both placed on injured reserve, with MacEwen’s IR designation tied to a lower-body issue suffered earlier in the week. The attrition has created opportunities for call-ups and depth players, but it also underscores the demanding stretch New Jersey is attempting to navigate.
Amid the challenges, there have been bright spots as well — none brighter than Simon Nemec’s historic night on Wednesday. The young defenseman delivered his first career hat trick, punctuating the performance with a dramatic overtime winner to lift New Jersey to a 4–3 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks. Nemec’s continued emergence has been one of the most encouraging storylines of the season, reinforcing the Devils’ long-term outlook even when short-term obstacles mount.
Arseny Gritsyuk also delivered a strong performance after being bumped into the top six, helping stabilize the pace and bolster the team’s transition play. With injuries forcing constant lineup reshuffling, the Devils have been rewarded by several prospects rising to the occasion.
Still, questions remain regarding other recent injuries. There have been no new updates on forward Cody Glass, who exited Wednesday’s contest and has not yet returned. Meanwhile, the Utica Comets — the Devils’ AHL affiliate — continue to search for consistency after a difficult 6–2 loss to the Syracuse Crunch earlier this week. It’s been a challenging stretch for both levels of the organization, though opportunity often grows from adversity.
The Devils will head to Washington, D.C., for their next game on Saturday, November 15, a matchup made more intriguing by the team’s unpredictable lineup situation. With Hughes unavailable, the spotlight will shift to those stepping into expanded roles, including the recently recalled Lachance and other young forwards who have been asked to adapt on the fly.
Around the broader hockey world, the week has been marked by both achievement and sorrow. The community is mourning the loss of legendary columnist Larry Brooks, whose decades of coverage shaped how countless fans experienced the game. Tributes poured in from around the NHL, including heartfelt reflections from John Tortorella and Wayne Gretzky. On the ice, Brad Marchand celebrated the 1,000-point milestone, Steven Stamkos spoke candidly about staying motivated amid a difficult scoring stretch, and Auston Matthews is set to miss at least a week after an uncalled hit from behind by Nikita Zadorov.
Back in New Jersey’s orbit, the focus turns to how the Devils can maintain momentum despite constant disruptions. The team’s recent play shows signs of resilience — from Nemec’s heroics to Nico Daws earning a shutout earlier in the week — and the coaching staff continues to emphasize structural discipline as the season unfolds.
Whether the Devils can weather the latest blow will depend on how quickly the lineup adapts — and how soon Hughes can return. Until then, the team will need to lean heavily on its depth, young contributors and the same collective determination that has defined its rise in recent years. For continued updates, analysis and features throughout the season, explore our dedicated coverage of the New Jersey Devils.
For ongoing coverage, breaking updates and in-depth features throughout the season, visit our dedicated New Jersey Devils page.
