Devils Week Ahead: Schedule & Storylines – Jack Hughes’ Golden Goal, Back to Work, and More – The Hockey Writers – New Jersey Devils

The 2026 Winter Olympics closing ceremony is on the horizon, marking the end of an exciting time for New Jersey Devils fans. With seven players taking part in the men’s ice hockey tournament, the team was well represented in Milan. Switzerland and Sweden were eliminated in the quarterfinals, while Simon Nemec led Team Slovakia all the way to the bronze medal game.

Now, the team is back to work at Prudential Center, as they prepare to take on the Buffalo Sabres on Wednesday night.

Here are a few storylines to follow for the week of Feb. 22 – March 1, 2026.

Jack Hughes’ Golden Goal for Team USA

The only Devils player left in the running for Olympic gold was Jack Hughes, who had a phenomenal tournament. Much like his role in New Jersey, he became a superstar on the international stage, playing an instrumental role in the team’s success, even after making a fourth-line debut.

Related: How the Devils’ Olympic Performances Can Impact Rest of the Season

Hughes earned seven points in six games, making the most of his limited ice time. He was promoted to the third line alongside Detroit Red Wings’ Dylan Larkin and Sabres’ Tage Thompson. Hughes had a two-goal performance in the semifinal against Slovakia, putting Team USA up 5-0 in the second period.

On Sunday, he helped the USA win gold, scoring the golden goal just 1:41 into overtime, racing up the ice on a pass from Zach Werenski. Despite losing a few teeth along the way, Hughes came out on top in 3-on-3 sudden-death overtime against Canada.

Back to Work at Prudential Center

The Devils returned to action this week, resuming practice right before the end of the Olympic break. With so many bodies still in Milan, the team had to get creative. Based on the NHL’s Olympic guidelines, they recalled Lenni Hameenaho, Dylan Wendt, Colton White, and Dennis Cholowski from the Utica Comets.

They even welcomed a familiar face back into the locker room when former Devils’ captain Andy Greene hit the ice on Saturday. He skated drills during practice in order to make the transition easier. When asked about their visitor, head coach Sheldon Keefe had nothing but good things to say. “It helped us get through practice and keep us flowing a lot smoother without disrupting the groups or having guys get overly fatigued. It was great.”

Looking for Redemption

Headed into the final stretch of the season, the Devils are in a precarious spot. They left off on a three-game losing streak and currently sit in seventh place in the Metropolitan Division. Even if the team is unable to pull off a playoff run, it’s important that they establish a different mindset and strive for stability.

The Devils will be back at Prudential Center this week, facing the Sabres before heading on a two-game road trip. If the Devils can close out February with six points, it could help kickstart a much-needed reset. 

Unfortunately, they’ll be without star defenseman Luke Hughes for a little while longer. Since he is still on long-term injured reserve (LTIR), he is not eligible to return until Feb. 28 against the St. Louis Blues. But the good news is that he is a full participant in practice, and Keefe shared that there have been zero setbacks throughout his recovery.

Devils Schedule Feb. 22 – March 1