Devils 4, Islanders 3: Too close for comfort

Late game heroics from Jack Hughes helped the Devils get two points they deserved.

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By JP Gambatese (@JP_Gambatese)

A few notes following the New Jersey Devils’ overtime victory over the New York Islanders:

The Jack Hughes show once again

I have to say, few things make me as excited for Devils hockey as when No. 86 is on a rampage, and it’s that time of the season.

For the second consecutive game, the superstar center racked up three points. He tied the game with a power play tally in the second period and provided the primary assist on the game-tying goal before sending the Islanders packing in overtime on a breakaway. 

In addition to that, he led the Devils in both gamescore and in terms of xGF%, where the team controlled an astounding 77.71% of the xG in the 17+ minutes he was on the ice at 5v5.

He shot the puck on net five times and led the team in individual shot attempts (8) and individual scoring chances (4), three of which were high-danger. He also logged three takeaways, which were also a team-high. It was a vintage Jack performance. 

The back-to-back strong performances pushed Jack over the point-per-game threshold for the first time this season – he now has 18 points in 17 games, including six in his last two.

It’s been apparent for a few games now, but I think I’m comfortable saying he is absolutely back. 

Dougie has returned