Devils 3, Blues 2: Back on track
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A few notes following New Jersey’s 3-2 win over the St. Louis Blues:
Jack Hughes continues to excel
Another game, another terrific showing from No. 86. There are so many talking points from his performance against the Blues.
For starters, his passing was ridiculous. He had the puck on a string throughout the game and his link-up play was very good. Hughes was so intertwined with his linemates and, on several occasions, used them as decoys to open up space for himself before getting the puck back and creating a dangerous opportunity.
Hughes led the Devils with nine (9) primary shot assists at 5v5. He was rewarded for his efforts with an actual assist, extending his ridiculous run of success on home soil.
Hughes, as usual, was also able to tilt the ice in the Devils’ favor at 5v5. He flirted with 60% in terms of Corsi and xG despite spending more time going up against the Vladimir Tarasenko line than any other.
His on-ice impacts weren’t just strong because of his offensive game. Hughes was also backtracking to recover pucks and end defensive possessions before they even started.
It was yet another fantastic two-way performance, which is becoming par for the course for the 20-year-old.
Fun fact: Hughes is now producing at a 93 point pace over 82 games. Ridiculous.
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