A healthy Jack Hughes is a game-changer for flawed New Jersey Devils

Just how good is Jack Hughes? The 22-year-old forward has missed 16 games this season for the New Jersey Devils with injury, and is still second on the team in scoring with 47 points (16 goals and 31 assists). In fact, he’s so good that he’s still 12 points ahead of Tyler Toffoli, who is third on the team in scoring.

It’s no secret he’s a big part of the Devils’ success, and that was apparent on Monday when he tallied a goal and an assist in New Jersey’s 3-1 win over the Seattle Kraken.

On Tuesday’s episode of Daily Faceoff LIVE, Frank Seravalli and Tyler Yaremchuk discuss Hughes’ return and how much he means to a Devils squad that’s clawing for a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.

Tyler Yaremchuk: He’s been in and out of the lineup this year, but with a healthy Jack Hughes, that’s a momentum swinger in terms of the Devils’ chances of getting into a playoff spot.

Frank Seravalli: What it is is a season changer, and that’s the one thing you step back and think, “Well if Jack Hughes played the entire season, how much would he be masking the true issues with the Devils?” They’ve played 51 games and he’s played in 35 of them, so he’s missed 16 total. It’s totally changed the complexion of their season.

It’s one thing to miss two of your top-six defenseman from last year, then have Dougie Hamilton go down to make it half of it. It’s another thing to have your goaltending really struggle and be in 32nd place for the bulk of the season.

But to then lose your leading scorer and face of the franchise, it just hurts. I think if they had a fully-healthy Hughes, they’re in a firm playoff spot.

You can watch the full segment and the rest of the episode here…