Jack Hughes says Devils’ attitude needs adjustment

Greg Wyshynski, ESPNFeb 22, 2024, 11:20 PM ET

CloseGreg Wyshynski is ESPN’s senior NHL writer.

NEWARK, N.J. — After his New Jersey Devils were embarrassed by the rival New York Rangers at home on Thursday, star center Jack Hughes said his team needs an attitude adjustment as their playoff hopes dim.

“We’ve got to digest tonight and then we’ve got to wrap our heads around changing our attitude and really believing in ourselves,” said Hughes, who scored the Devils’ only goal in their 5-1 loss to the Rangers, who won their ninth straight game. “Not just talking and saying that, but actually doing that.”

The Devils followed their Stadium Series victory over the Philadelphia Flyers on Saturday night with two straight losses to Metro Division rivals. On Tuesday, they lost at the Washington Capitals by a 6-2 score, before returning home to get blown out by the Rangers.

“That was a big win and we had two good opportunities. We didn’t do very much with it. So now we’re in a hole,” said Hughes of the Stadium Series win at MetLife Stadium.

The Devils are now five points in back of Tampa Bay, who visits New Jersey on Sunday, for the final wild card spot in the East. They have two games in-hand on the Lightning. The Devils are seven points behind the Flyers, who are third in the Metro, with one game in-hand on Philadelphia.

New Jersey’s power play continued to struggle mightily and might have ultimately cost them the game against the Rangers. The Devils squandered a five-minute match penalty given to the Rangers’ Matt Rempe after an illegal check to the head of Nate Bastian only 2:25 into the game. New York would score the game’s first goal five seconds into their own power play at 9:14 of the first.

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In the second period, trailing 3-0, the Devils failed to score during four minutes of power play time following a double-minor high-sticking call against Kaapo Kakko. In total, New Jersey had 11:52 of power play time in the game and didn’t convert. They’re now in a…

Source link : https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/39580117/jack-hughes-says-devils-attitude-needs-adjustment

Author : Greg Wyshynski

Publish date : 2024-02-23 04:30:37

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