NEWYou can now listen to PK Press Club articles!
New Jersey Devils star forward Jack Hughes is not expected to play against the Washington Capitals due to an injury he suffered at the table and not on the ice.
Hughes is believed to have fallen and cut his hand during a team dinner Thursday, and several people called it a “chance accident,” according to Sportsnet. It is unclear how long the 24-year-old will be out.
Hughes and the Devils have had a fantastic start to the season. The Devils are 12-4-1 and lead the Metropolitan Division.
Hughes has 20 points (10 goals and 10 assists) in 17 games played.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON PK Press Club
New Jersey Devils center Jack Hughes waits for play to resume in the second period against the San Jose Sharks at SAP Center in San Jose on October 30, 2025. (David Gonzales/Imagn Images)
Hughes had two assists in the team’s 4-3 overtime win over the Chicago Blackhawks on Wednesday.
The young forward has been a productive player throughout his NHL career, but has struggled to stay on the ice due to injuries. Hughes has played more than 63 games in a season just once in his career, the 2022-23 campaign.
NHL fan drinks beer after catching errant puck during wild hockey moment
New Jersey Devils center Jack Hughes greets his teammates after scoring during the third period against the Anaheim Ducks in Anaheim, California on November 2, 2025. (William Liang/AP Photo)
This season was the best of his seven-year career. He had 43 goals and 56 assists in 78 games and made the All-Star team.
The two-time All-Star was solid last season for the Devils, scoring 27 goals and adding 43 assists in 62 games. The Orlando, Florida native averaged nearly a point per game during his career, accumulating 371 points in 385 career games.
New Jersey Devils center Jack Hughes (86) skates with the puck against the New York Islanders during the second period at the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ on November 10, 2025. (Ed Mulholland/Imagn Images)
If Hughes were to miss significant time, it would be a big blow for the Devils.
They will look to win without their young star when they take on the Capitals on the road at 7 p.m. ET on Saturday.
