G55 New Jersey Devils vs Pittsburgh Penguins: Jack is back!

New Jersey's budding superstar, who has amassed 27 points over his last 15 games, is expected to return after just a 10 day absence.

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

Jack is back

No. 86 will return to the lineup Saturday evening, approximately 10 days after an initial injury prognosis that labeled him week-to-week.

While the matchup isn’t quite as juicy as Thursday’s against the St. Louis Blues, it is much better than meets the eye.

The Penguins have long been a strong defensive team under head coach Mike Sullivan. Not of late.

Only four teams have conceded shots - and expected goals - at a higher rate over the last 10 games. They’re giving up a lot defensively.

Although the Pens have reached new lows of late, struggling against opposing centers has been the norm all season long. In fact, just two teams have given up more shots per game to the position.

That should be music to the ears of Hughes, who has played at a Connor McDavid-esque level for quite some time.

Hughes enters this contest having amassed 27 points and 82 shots over his past 15 games. Yes, you’re reading those numbers correctly.

He is playing as well as anybody in the league and now draws a Penguins team that is laboring defensively and in the latter half of a back-to-back situation.

He should be able to pick up where he left off and put forth another big offensive performance.