A Disappointing Loss for the New Jersey Devils

The New Jersey Devils suffered a loss that they really shouldn’t have on Sunday afternoon. They faced the Seattle Kraken, a team that has struggled to find its footing in recent seasons. There are even whispers of potential sales, with players like Shane Wright, once a high draft pick, being considered for trade. The situation in Seattle is far from ideal.

Despite this, the Devils entered their home arena and came away with a defeat. While there were moments when the team played well, the result was still a loss. The process isn’t enough anymore; the Devils have lost too many games, and most of those losses have come in regulation. On Sunday, they added another regulation loss to their record, wiping out the positive momentum from winning five of their last six games.

A Tense Third Period

The game was tied 1-1 entering the third period, but the Devils quickly found themselves down 3-1. The two goals came just 18 seconds apart, with about 12 minutes remaining in the game. The Kraken delivered a brutal blow to the Devils’ hopes.

There’s plenty of blame to go around for this loss. Jacob Markstrom didn’t perform well again, and his contract extension continues to look questionable. Simon Nemec made a defensive error, but he also had some solid plays.

A Glimmer of Hope

Despite the setback, there was a silver lining. Jack Hughes, who hadn’t scored a goal since his return in December, finally found the back of the net. It wasn’t a spectacular goal, but it was one that Hughes desperately needed.

This goal brought the Devils back into the game. They were only down by one goal with over 10 minutes left, and it wasn’t a lost cause yet. However, the game turned when Dougie Hamilton misplayed a puck along the wall, leading to an empty-net goal with just over a minute left on the clock.

The Importance of Jack Hughes

The New Jersey Devils need the best version of Jack Hughes right now. Since returning from a hand injury, Hughes hasn’t been at his peak. He’s still playing with a cast after injuring his pinky in November, and it’s clear that his performance on the ice has suffered.

Hughes is getting into high-danger areas, with 18 individual high-danger chances at 5v5 according to Natural Stat Trick. He also has 34 shots at even strength and 52 total shots since his return. Only Timo Meier has more shots on the team, and both players have just two goals.

Looking at shooting percentages, Hughes and Meier are among the worst. Of the 20 players with at least 50 shots since December 21st, both have shooting percentages under 5%. Most players are hovering around 12%, meaning Hughes would have six goals instead of two if he were at that level.

If Hughes could add four more goals, the Devils would gain at least two points in the standings. That could be enough to move up three teams—Flyers, Maple Leafs, and Capitals—and put them just one point behind the New York Islanders for third in the Metropolitan Division. One point out of a playoff spot is a very real possibility.

A Crucial Moment for the Devils

If the Devils can get the Hughes they need, anything is possible. They have the potential to make a comeback, and it’s a path they should take. When will that happen? That remains uncertain. Hopefully, Hughes will be able to remove the cast soon, as the original eight-week timeline has already passed.