Fresh off a Gold Medal, Jack Hughes and the New Jersey Devils returned from their Olympic hiatus in an attempt to get back on the right foot and kickstart a “hell of a run” — Jake Allen’s words from before the break — to claw their way back into the playoffs.
After some enjoyable pre-game festivities, the Devils were not able to use a juiced crowd to their advantage, falling 2-1 to Lindy Ruff’s Buffalo Sabres.
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Fans Loved Jack Hughes’ Ceremony
According to TickPick, 48.9% of tickets sold for the game came after Jack scored the game-winner for Team USA to win gold. And that was before it was even definite that he’d play.
Understandably so, hockey fans from all around the United States wanted to be there to celebrate Jack’s accomplishment of giving the country its first gold since the 1980 Miracle. The Devils put on a tremendous ceremony.
Through teary eyes, Jack professed his love for the fans, the Devils, the state of New Jersey, his teammates and everyone else who supported the ride.
“I’m so proud and I’m so happy that the Men’s and Women’s USA Hockey teams brought Gold Medals back to the United States of America,” said Jack. “You guys are making me emotional.”
#NJDevils Jack Hughes and #Sabrehood Tage Thompson get a special moment together, followed by a deafening ‘USA’ chant.
— Daniel Amoia (@daniel_amoia) February 26, 2026
“I get goosebumps watching the [golden goal] video now, just because the emotion’s so raw and it means so much to every single one of those guys,” said Jack postgame. “We’re all genuinely so just happy for each other that we won.”
Devils Trying to Win Close Games Hasn’t Really Worked
On one hand, it’s certainly a positive that the Devils’ defense saw steady improvement before the break. Coming into the night, since Jan. 19, their 2.19 expected goals against per 60 (xGA/60) at 5v5 was the sixth-best mark in the league. Tonight, they suffered a rough regression with 2.76 xGA in 46:44 of 5v5 time (3.54 xGA/60) — their worst mark since Jan. 17 against the Carolina Hurricanes and 10th-worst of the season.
“Especially in these games, you can’t fade away from defending the right way,” said Timo Meier, who scored their lone goal. “That’s what cost us the game tonight.”
Compounding the issue, their offense continues to suffer. After getting blanked tonight, their 1.85 goals per 60 minutes (GF/60) at 5v5 this season ranks dead last in the NHL. Every other team is above two. (via Natural Stat Trick)
It continues to remain a little puzzling that they’ve sacrificed their rush game — which made them super successful in 2022-23 — for meat and potatoes, stifling defensive hockey. Not that it can’t work, but for the large portion of the season: it hasn’t.
Here are the final scores from each Devils’ loss during what is now a four-game skid: 4-1, 3-0, 3-1, 2-1. Three goals in four games. They’re way too talented for this to continue, but when it’s went on for this long, it’s more than just poor luck. Whether it’s confidence, the system, talent, or some combination of the three, Devils fans are rightfully frustrated.
Jake Allen Was Great
On numerous occasions, netminder Jake Allen was able to bail his team out from high danger chances against. When all was said and done, he stopped 28 of 30 (.933 save percentage — SV%)…but that unfortunately doesn’t mean anything without run support.
The fancy numbers back up his exceptional play; per Moneypuck, he stopped +0.95 goals above expected. That moves his season SV% to a very respectable .907%.
“[These guys] are trying and working every day. It’s just a little tough right now [offensively], and it’s gonna come,” said Allen postgame. “I think we’re due for one of those games where it just goes in in bunches. And hopefully that’s sooner than later.”
Moving Forward
The Devils — now 28-28-2 — will look to get back in the win column Thursday night as they face the Pittsburgh Penguins (7:00 PM EST). Per Moneypuck, they now have just a 1.21% chance to make the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
