Concerning update on Jack Hughes following Devils’ elimination

Ahead of Game 5 of the second round series against the Carolina Hurricanes, the New Jersey Devils were worried they would have to face elimination without star forward Jack Hughes. Head coach Lindy Ruff admitted after the 3-2 overtime loss that he was not expecting to see Hughes in uniform.

Hughes did not take part in line rushes and was questionable to play because of an upper-body injury.

“For him to put his skates on and play, says a lot about his character,” Ruff told reporters.

Last season, Hughes struggled with a shoulder injury, and the latest update on his condition that almost got him to miss Game 5 is making fans worried that he could be dealing with that nagging ailment again.

Despite playing under 100 percent, Hughes ended up playing 14:16 and registered an assist in the game.

The Devils’ run came to an end abruptly on a Jesper Fast’s overtime winner to move on to the Eastern Conference Final, but Hughes played a key role in the Devils’ success this year to make it to the postseason. He scored 43 goals and 99 points in 78 games while adding 11 points in 12 games during the playoffs.

Let’s hope he gets back to form next season after dealing with whatever upper-body injury is hurting him at the moment, and ALMOST made him miss Game 5.