U.S. Olympic golden goal-scorer Jack Hughes extended his points streak to four games since returning from Milan, and the New Jersey Devils dealt the Florida Panthers’ playoff hopes another blow by beating the two-time defending Stanley Cup champions 5-1 on Tuesday night.
The New Jersey Devils are atop the Eastern Conference six weeks into the NHL season, but now they have to play the next two months without top center and leading scorer Jack Hughes.
Andrei Svechnikov scored three goals and the Carolina Hurricanes beat the New Jersey Devils 5-2 to take a 3-1 lead in their first-round playoff series.
Alex Nedeljkovic became the first goalie in NHL history to have a goal and an assist, and made 40 saves as the Pittsburgh Penguins beat the Buffalo Sabres 5-2.
Detroit desperately hopes to snap its seven-year playoff drought and becomes part of an NHL trend.
Nashville goalie Juuse Saros made a franchise-record 64 saves and Mark Jankowski’s goal 5:06 into the third period gave the Predators their first lead in a 5-3 win over the Carolina Hurricanes.