Jack Hughes Returns to New Jersey Devils’ Lineup, Scores Goal in 3-1 Loss to Buffalo Sabres
On December 21, 2025, the New Jersey Devils welcomed back their star player, Jack Hughes, to the lineup after a five-week absence due to finger surgery. Hughes’ return was met with a loud ovation from the crowd at Prudential Center, and he quickly made his presence felt on the ice. The 24-year-old center scored his 11th goal of the season at 8:51 of the first period, giving the Devils a 1-0 lead over the Buffalo Sabres.
Hughes’ goal was the highlight of the night for the Devils, as the Sabres went on to score twice in the second period and add an empty-net goal to secure a 3-1 win. The victory marked the Sabres’ sixth straight win. Despite the loss, Hughes was thrilled to be back on the ice with his teammates. “For me personally, it was really fun to get back out there and play,” Hughes said. “I’m glad I’m out there playing again; it’s the best thing to do. When you’re sitting on the couch and guys are playing, that’s the taxing part of being injured. You want to be out there. That’s what you want to do the most.”
Hughes’ Injury and Recovery
Hughes underwent finger surgery on November 15, 2025, and was expected to miss two months. However, he made a rapid recovery and was able to return to the lineup ahead of schedule. At the time of his injury, Hughes was the Devils’ leading scorer with 20 points, and the team was in first place in the Eastern Conference. Without Hughes, the Devils struggled, losing 10 of 18 games. Hughes’ return is a significant boost to the team, and his performance on Sunday night was a promising sign for the remainder of the season.
According to Devils coach Sheldon Keefe, Hughes’ return was a significant factor in the team’s performance on Sunday night. “Great goal by Jack. He was responsible for four or five high-danger chances that he created for himself or others in the first period,” Keefe said. “That in itself probably should have been enough for us to win the game if we had been able to execute and finish some of those chances…. Overall as a team, we didn’t play well enough for three periods to win the game.” Hughes’ return also paves the way for his potential selection to the U.S. Olympic team, with the roster deadline for the Milan-Cortina Games approaching on December 31.
Other Notable Returns
In addition to Hughes’ return, the Devils also welcomed back forward Timo Meier, who had taken a leave of absence earlier in the month to attend to a family health matter. Meier had missed five games and was eager to get back on the ice with his teammates. The Devils will look to build on their performance on Sunday night, with Hughes and Meier back in the lineup, as they aim to regain their position at the top of the Eastern Conference.
The Devils’ next game is scheduled for December 23, 2025, against the New York Rangers. With Hughes and Meier back in the lineup, the team is poised to make a strong push for the playoffs. As the season progresses, the Devils will look to build on their performance and make a deep run in the playoffs. For now, the return of Jack Hughes is a significant boost to the team, and his goal on Sunday night was a promising sign for the remainder of the season.
