The New Jersey Devils are playing with unstoppable momentum. After dropping their opening night game, they’ve bounced back with eight consecutive victories, including a dramatic overtime win over the Colorado Avalanche on Sunday. Jack Hughes sealed the deal with his eighth goal of the season, but this night belonged as much to his younger brother, Luke Hughes, as to the star forward himself.
Luke Hughes earns high praise for defensive brilliance
While Jack dazzled with two goals, Luke Hughes turned heads with his composure and control on defense. The 22-year-old defenseman showcased remarkable poise under pressure, helping the Devils neutralize Colorado’s relentless attack. Head coach Sheldon Keefe couldn’t help but praise his young blue-liner’s performance.“I thought the more we needed our defense, he got even better in terms of solving problems and breaking pucks out. He skated out of trouble a bunch of times for us. That was a strength in the third period … how we were able to speed the puck out of pressure, and Luke led the way for us there,” Keefe said, via NHL.com.Luke’s ability to read the ice and transition from defense to offense was evident throughout the night. His smooth skating and smart decision-making helped stabilize New Jersey’s back end when the Avalanche pressed hard in the final period.
Luke Hughes secured a long-term future with the Devils
Adding to the excitement, Luke Hughes recently signed a seven-year, $63 million contract with the Devils, carrying an average annual value of $9 million. The extension reflects the organization’s confidence in the young star’s future. General manager Tom Fitzgerald made it clear early on that keeping Hughes in New Jersey was his top goal.Fitzgerald reaffirmed this commitment multiple times, saying re-signing Hughes was his “No. 1 priority,” a message he repeated during the offseason and again when training camp opened in September.Last season, Hughes proved his worth with 44 points (seven goals and 37 assists) in 71 games—a remarkable debut campaign for a rookie defenseman. As he continues to mature alongside his brother Jack, the Devils’ young core looks ready to dominate for years to come.New Jersey’s latest win cements them as one of the NHL’s most dangerous teams. And with Luke Hughes evolving into a two-way powerhouse, the Devils’ rise feels less like a streak—and more like the start of something special.Also Read: What happened when Sidney Crosby met an unexpected guest during Penguins practice will warm every fan’s heart
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