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Team USA hero Jack Hughes received another standing ovation on Thursday, but this time it was from the away crowd.
When the starting lineups were announced before the Pittsburgh Penguins’ 4-1 victory over the New Jersey Devils at PPG Paints Arena, Hughes received another standing ovation from the Pittsburgh faithful.
It was the second such recognition for Hughes in two days, as the Devils’ home crowd gave their superstar plenty of love following his performance at the Olympics.
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New Jersey Devils center Jack Hughes (86) waves to the crowd as Olympic players are recognized before the NHL game between the Pittsburgh Penguins and the New Jersey Devils at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. February 26, 2026. (Jeanine Leech/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
The 24-year-old quickly became one of the most popular American hockey players in the NHL after scoring the golden goal in Team USA’s thrilling overtime victory over Canada in the gold medal game on Sunday.
Standing ovations from road crowds will likely become commonplace when the Devils play in the United States, while in Canada he could likely be booed.
Jack Hughes of the New Jersey Devils is honored along with other Olympic hockey players in attendance before an NHL hockey game against the Pittsburgh Penguins in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. February 26, 2026. (Gene J. Puskar/AP Photo)
It’s been a crazy week for the Devils star. After the American team’s victory in Milan, the team flew to Miami to celebrate their victory at E11even, a famous nightclub. After their raucous celebration was over, they flew to Washington, D.C., to meet with President Donald Trump and attend the State of the Union address on Tuesday.
The Devils’ first game back was Wednesday, a 2-1 loss to the Buffalo Sabres. Hughes had an assist on the team’s only goal in Wednesday’s loss and in the Devils’ loss on Thursday.
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Jack Hughes (86) of the New Jersey Devils is defended by Blake Lizotte (46) of the Pittsburgh Penguins during the first period of an NHL hockey game in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. February 26, 2026. (Gene J. Puskar/AP Photo)
Hughes played in 38 games this season, scoring 12 goals and recording 26 assists, averaging one point per game. He will look to help the Devils turn things around when they take on the St. Louis Blues on Saturday at 5 p.m. ET.
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