Unexpected Injury Sidelines Jack Hughes

In a bizarre turn of events, New Jersey Devils star center Jack Hughes will be out of action due to a non-hockey related hand injury. The injury occurred on Thursday night at a team dinner in Chicago, following the Devils' 4-3 overtime victory against the Blackhawks.

Details surrounding the incident are scarce, but multiple sources have described it as a "fluke accident," with reports suggesting Hughes slipped and cut his hand. The team has only stated that Hughes is being evaluated and that further updates will be provided when available.

Hughes will miss Saturday's game against the Washington Capitals, and the timeline for his return remains uncertain. This is a significant blow to the Devils, as Hughes has been leading the team in both goals (10) and points (20) through 17 games this season. His absence will be keenly felt, especially considering the strong start he was having.

The timing of the injury is particularly unfortunate for the Devils, who are already dealing with a number of sidelined players. Cody Glass and Zack MacEwen sustained injuries during Wednesday's game against the Blackhawks. MacEwen has been placed on injured reserve. Other injured Devils include Connor Brown, Dougie Hamilton, Brett Pesce, Evgenii Dadonov, Johnathan Kovacevic and Marc McLaughlin.

The Devils, currently with a 12-4-1 record, are in first place in the Metropolitan Division. Hughes' injury puts a strain on the team's center depth, with Nico Hischier, Juho Lammikko, and potentially Dawson Mercer as options.

The nature of Hughes' injury has raised eyebrows, with many noting the unusual circumstances. While the team hopes for a quick recovery, the incident serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of sports and the challenges teams face in navigating injuries.