Devils’ Jack Hughes Nears 100-Point Milestone

Devils forward Jack Hughes tied a franchise record in points when he picked up an assist on Saturday against the Boston Bruins The 96 points (so far) this year tied the record that Devils legend Patrick Elias set during the 2000-01 season, but with two games remaining could Hughes surpass that and hit 100 points?

Hughes has been as dynamic a player offensively for New Jersey as it could have asked for when they drafted him first overall in 2019. The 21-year-old’s production has steadily increased in his four NHL seasons to the point where he has become one best offensive players in the NHL.

And for the Devils, Hughes has been one of the lynchpins for their first 50-win season since 2009.

The Devils have a pair of games left on their schedule with Buffalo coming to The Rock on Tuesday night and a trip to Washington D.C. on Thursday before the Stanley Cup playoffs begin later this month.

That gives Hughes two more chances to crack the 100-point mark this season or at the very least set the new franchise mark for points in a season. The likelihood of Huges doing the latter seems high considering the Devils’ forward is riding a six-game point streak where he’s recorded 10 points over that time.

That span includes a four-point game (two goals, two assists) against the Columbus Blue Jackets. Hughes has had four multi-point contests over his last nine games.

What bodes well for Hughes as well is the success he’s had against the Devils’ next two opponents. In 12 career games against the Sabres, Hughes’ 12 points are the third most he’s recorded against any NHL team and he has four points (three goals, one assist) in two games this season against them.

The Devils’ forward’s success against the Capitals includes 10 career points against them and a three-goal game this season on Nov. 26.

The NHL has always been a league that prides team success over individual success, but Hughes setting a new team record and possibly hitting the 100-point mark would be a solid cherry on top of what has been one of the best Devils seasons in quite some time.

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