G10 New Jersey Devils vs Vancouver Canucks: The Hughes Bowl

One way or the other, the Hughes brothers are likely to be large factors in deciding this game.

Follow along on Twitter @ToddCordell | @InfernalAccess

Be sure to join the Discord channel to talk hockey, and everything else, with our writers and subscribers.

---

A few notes to get you set for New Jersey vs Vancouver:

Hughes vs Hughes

Anytime a pair of brothers face off in the NHL it’s going to be a big story; even more so when they are so important to their teams. No matter which side comes out on top, it’s fair to assume the Hughes brother on that team will play a huge role.

In Jack’s case, he leads the Devils in shots on goal, scoring chances, high-danger chances, shot contributions, and has put up eight points in nine games despite an unsustainably low IPP (individual points percentage) of 53.33%.

For perspective, Hughes picked up a point on 77.78% of the Devils’ goals he was on for last season. The points are going to come in bulk so long as he continues facilitating such a high percentage of the team’s chances.

On the other side of things, Quinn has picked up five points through five games and leads regular Canucks blue liners in Corsi For%. He has been the team’s only reliable defender in terms of breaking out of the defensive zone and getting play moving in the right direction. He does all the heavy lifting in that regard.

If the Canucks are to have success, and fend off New Jersey’s speedy forecheck, they’re going to need Hughes to handle the puck a lot and make good, quick passes to alleviate the pressure.

If he can’t do that, the Canucks are going to spend a ton of time in their own zone; he’s far and away their best hope to neutralize the Devils’ closing speed.