Devils star Jack Hughes out for season with knee injury

An injury-plagued season for young New Jersey Devils star Jack Hughes continues. Per the team, Hughes suffered a low-grade MCL sprain of his left knee during the April 3 game against the New York Islanders, ending his season.

The injury came as a result of a collision with Islanders forward Oliver Wahlstrom, who did not receive a penalty for the hit. He did, however, receive a fighting major for an altercation with P.K. Subban after the hit.

Hughes has come alive this season, smashing every career-high despite the injuries. Limited to just 49 games, Hughes still managed 26 goals and 30 assists for 56 points, clearing his previous career-high by 25 points. He’s shown first-overall pick ability constantly this year, and the team and player hope injuries don’t get in the way of that continuing. He remains one of the team’s best two-way forwards as well.

For the short remainder of this season, it will fall back onto captain Nico Hischier to take over the no. 1 center spot. Hischier does have 50 points in 60 games, largely flying under the radar this year, and he’ll get the chance to improve on those totals with some more minutes.