Jack Hughes Shines with Two Goals in Devils’ 6-4 Victory Over Stars

In a high-octane matchup, Jack Hughes showcased his scoring prowess, netting two goals during a blistering first period that propelled the New Jersey Devils to a 6-4 victory over the Dallas Stars. The Devils’ explosive start featured four goals from just five shots, marking a significant blow to the Stars, who experienced consecutive regulation losses for the first time in two months.

Jesper Bratt and Connor Brown also contributed to the scoring frenzy, as Hughes capitalized on a one-on-one opportunity against Jake Oettinger, who was pulled after the first period following a career-best 14-game point streak. The Devils made quick work of the Stars’ defense, establishing a commanding 4-1 lead by the end of the first.

Wyatt Johnston made headlines for Dallas, scoring twice to reach 40 goals for the first time in his career, while Jason Robertson added another to bring his total to 39. Johnston’s second goal was particularly noteworthy, as it marked his NHL-leading 24th power-play goal, extending his franchise record set just two nights earlier.

The Stars, now seven points behind NHL-leading Colorado, struggled to maintain their momentum after clinching a Western Conference playoff spot. Johnston’s contributions included a career-high 38th assist on Robertson’s goal, which brought Dallas within a goal midway through the second period.

As the game progressed, New Jersey’s Timo Meier and Dallas’s Mavrik Bourque exchanged goals in the third period, but an empty-netter from Dougie Hamilton sealed the deal for the Devils. Casey DeSmith stepped in for Oettinger, making a commendable effort by stopping the first 12 shots he faced, while Jake Allen recorded 23 saves for New Jersey.

Looking ahead, the Devils will continue their five-game road trip with a matchup against Nashville on Thursday, while the Stars will embark on a four-game trip starting with the Islanders.

Note: This recap is an independently written summary based on publicly available reporting.