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Devils’ Jack Hughes leaves game early vs. Predators

Originally posted on Daily Faceoff | By Mike Gould | Last updated Jan 29, 2026 8:54 PM ET

New Jersey Devils forward Jack Hughes left Thursday’s game against the Nashville Predators midway through the first period with an apparent injury, according to multiple reports.

Hughes, 24, logged just 2:27 of ice time over three shifts in the first period before leaving the game. Devils team reporter Amanda Stein confirmed that Hughes did not emerge from the locker room after the first intermission at the Prudential Center in Newark.

“Jack left in the first for a bit, came back, took one shift and left again,” Stein tweeted. “Still unable to come back, it appears.”

Jack Hughes remains absent for #NJDevils as they emerge from the tunnel for the start of the second period.

Jack left in the first for a bit, came back, took one shift and left again.

Still unable to come back, it appears.
— Amanda Stein (@amandacstein) January 30, 2026

The No. 1 overall pick in the 2019 NHL Draft, Hughes has dealt with recurring injury issues throughout his career. The Orlando-born center has missed significant time to injury in four of his last five seasons.

Entering Thursday’s action, Hughes had skated in just 35 of a possible 53 games with the Devils to start the 2025-26 season, collecting 12 goals and 36 points. The 5’11” forward is signed through 2030 at an $8 million annual cap hit.

The Devils and Predators were tied at one after 40 minutes of play at the Prudential Center on Thursday, with Dougie Hamilton and Michael McCarron scoring the goals for their respective teams. New Jersey entered the game in 15th place in the Eastern Conference with a 27-24-2 record and 56 points in 53 games.

A product of the U.S. National Team Development Program, Hughes made his NHL debut with the Devils immediately after being drafted and has since collected 153 goals and 387 points in 404 career games. He’s added six goals and 11 points in 12 playoff contests.

Not including Thursday’s game, the Devils still have three games left to play before the 2026 Winter Olympics. They’ll visit the Ottawa Senators on Jan. 31 before returning home to take on the Columbus Blue Jackets and New York Islanders on Feb. 3 and 5.

This article first appeared on Daily Faceoff and was syndicated with permission.

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