Jack Hughes delivered a masterful performance with a hat trick and an assist, powering the New Jersey Devils to a 6-3 victory over the rival New York Rangers on Saturday in Newark. The win marks the Devils’ fourth consecutive triumph as they cling to playoff hopes, sitting nine points out of a spot.
Fresh off his Olympic heroics, Hughes wasted no time reminding everyone of his elite status. The crowd erupted with “USA! USA!” chants as he sealed the hat trick into an empty net, capping a night that evoked memories of his gold-medal-winning goal for Team USA against Canada on Feb. 22.
A back-and-forth battle unfolds
The game kicked off with high intensity in the Hudson River rivalry. Jesper Bratt opened scoring just 1:06 in, beating Rangers goaltender Jonathan Quick for his 14th goal of the season. The assist went to Connor Brown and others, setting an early tone for New Jersey.
New York responded quickly. Will Borgen tied it at 6:26 with a shorthanded tally off a Vincent Trocheck pass, despite weeks of trade rumors swirling around the center. Trocheck remained a Ranger past the deadline, adding intrigue to the matchup.
Vladislav Gavrikov then put the Rangers ahead at 8:36 of the first period. But Dawson Mercer answered late, scoring on the power play at 19:47 for his 200th career point and knotting the score at 2-2 heading into the second.
The middle frame saw more drama. Hughes struck first for the Devils at 15:52 on the power play, his first goal since the Olympics and his 24th career tally against New York. This gave New Jersey a 3-2 edge.
Will Cuylle equalized for the Rangers at 16:53, tying the game for the third time. The period ended 3-3, with both teams trading chances and testing goaltenders.
Hughes takes over in the third
The decisive period belonged to Hughes and the Devils. Nico Hischier, the team captain, scored the go-ahead power-play goal at 8:05—his league-leading 21st of the season—to make it 4-3. Hughes assisted on the play, showcasing his playmaking prowess.
Moments later, Hughes broke away at 16:56 and deked Quick for his second goal, extending the lead to 5-3. The Prudential Center rocked as the “USA!” chants grew louder, honoring his recent Olympic gold.
Hughes completed the hat trick with an empty-netter, his fourth of his NHL career. According to records, this trails only Patrik Elias’ franchise mark of eight.
Jacob Markstrom earned the win with 17 saves, while Quick stopped 29 shots in defeat. Bratt and Brown each tallied two assists for New Jersey.
Here’s a quick breakdown of the scoring:
| Period | Time | Scorer (Team) | Goal Type | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 1:06 | Jesper Bratt (NJD) | Even strength | 1-0 NJD |
| 1st | 6:26 | Will Borgen (NYR) | Shorthanded | 1-1 |
| 1st | 8:36 | Vladislav Gavrikov (NYR) | Even strength | 1-2 NYR |
| 1st | 19:47 | Dawson Mercer (NJD) | Power play | 2-2 |
| 2nd | 15:52 | Jack Hughes (NJD) | Power play | 3-2 NJD |
| 2nd | 16:53 | Will Cuylle (NYR) | Even strength | 3-3 |
| 3rd | 8:05 | Nico Hischier (NJD) | Power play | 4-3 NJD |
| 3rd | 16:56 | Jack Hughes (NJD) | Breakaway | 5-3 NJD |
| 3rd | EN | Jack Hughes (NJD) | Empty net | 6-3 NJD |
Olympic glow carries into NHL return
Before puck drop, Hughes met Elsa Garrison, the photographer who captured his iconic toothless smile draped in an American flag after Team USA’s overtime Olympic triumph. This emotional moment underscored his status as a national hero.
The 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina saw Hughes shine on the international stage. His gold-medal goal propelled the U.S. past Canada, fueling excitement back home.
Post-Olympics, Hughes has been on a tear, with this hat trick following a streak of assists. His chemistry with Hischier and Bratt has been pivotal for the Devils’ recent surge. For deeper Devils analysis, check recent highlights on NHL Insight’s New Jersey Devils section.
Rangers struggles persist. Last-place in the East, they’ve gone 4-12-3 since their Winter Classic win over Florida on Jan. 2. Trocheck’s presence offers stability, but defensive lapses hurt them here. See the full game box score on ESPN.
Playoff push intensifies
This rivalry win injects momentum into New Jersey’s playoff chase. Four straight victories show resilience, but nine points remain a steep hill.
Hughes’ dominance against the Rangers—now 24 goals lifetime—highlights his growth into a superstar. His fourth career hat trick positions him among Devils greats.
For the Rangers, the loss extends woes amid retooling talks. Vincent Trocheck’s future hangs in balance post-deadline.
As the season winds down, Hughes and the Devils eye a hot streak. What started as an Olympic fairy tale could fuel a postseason run. Fans will watch closely for the next chapter in this Hudson River saga.
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Par Mike Jonderson
Mike Jonderson is a passionate hockey analyst and expert in advanced NHL statistics. A former college player and mathematics graduate, he combines his understanding of the game with technical expertise to develop innovative predictive models and contribute to the evolution of modern hockey analytics.