Hughes Has 3-Point Night in 4-2 Win in Montreal | GAME STORY
1 year ago
Jack Hughes #JackHughes
On Sunday, Lindy Ruff shared that the goaltending plan would be to have his starters play the opening two periods, followed by the backup for the final 20. Akira Schmid, in his 40 minutes of play, made 13 saves on 15 shots and picked up an assist.”It’s great to see where you’re at, getting that first one out of the way,” Schmid said after the game, “We for sure have some things to clean up still, but that’s what preseason is for.”
On his play tonight Schmid shared:
It was good, could have been a little bit better, a bit more quick on certain plays. And just clean up some stuff, but it should be fine. You haven’t played an actual game in forever, so getting that feel back of what a game feels like, scrimmages is different than an actual game, so it’s good to get the first one in.
There should be little doubt that Jack Hughes has been working on his faceoff abilities. In Montreal, Jack won all three faceoffs to start each individual period. He’ll only get better the more he takes those faceoffs and the stronger he gets, but tonight’s game was a really good indication of the work he put in. While not all faceoffs were cleanly won, they don’t always have to be. In just this first glimpse, Hughes certainly has made major strides.
Travis Green on coaching Jack Hughes for the first time:
For the people around New Jersy, they’ve been watching him but when you get to coach a player for the first time and watch a player live for the first time… he’s an exceptional talent. Really, those top, top players in the league, every time they go on the ice, there’s a reason why people pay a lot of money to watch them.
Hughes finished the night 7-for-13 at the faceoff dot.
With 13:58 to play in the third period, Kinkaid made a save on the Canadiens but with the puck loose Montreal’s Joshua Roy landed on Kinkaid’s back. The Devils netminder lay on the ice for several minutes being tended to by the team trainer, but managed, after several minutes, to stay in the game. But with just over five minutes to play, Kinkaid left the game and Schmid re-entered.
Graeme Clarke, who is hoping to make a push for an NHL roster spot had five shots against Montreal, tied for the team lead with Hughes.
