Devils’ Jack Hughes returns to lineup after ‘freak’ hand injury

New Jersey Devils star Jack Hughes, out since Nov. 12 with a “freak” hand injury, will return to the lineup against the Buffalo Sabers on Sunday.

Hughes, 24, injured his hand during a team dinner in Chicago on Nov. 13, underwent finger surgery and was given an eight-week recovery window. He has been skating throughout his rehabilitation and was recently spotted using a stick on the ice again.

He returned to practice for the Devils on Sunday during an optional practice.

“Yeah, I’m going to play tonight. I might as well work my way through it,” Hughes joked after practice.

Hughes and the Devils were off to a good start before his injury. New Jersey was 12-4-1, with the second-best points percentage (.735) in the NHL behind the Colorado Avalanche (.794) and first place in the Metropolitan Division. Hughes had 20 points in his first 17 games, including 10 goals.

The Devils struggled without their starting center, going 8-10-0 (.444) and scoring 3.35 goals per game with Hughes compared to 2.28 goals per game without him. But they remained in the playoff race in a competitive Eastern Conference, holding the final wild card spot for Sunday.

Hughes is one of three key players returning to the Devils’ lineup Sunday against Buffalo, who have won five straight games. Forward Timo Meier last played on December 9, after leaving the team for a family matter. He has 11 goals and 12 assists in 30 games. Forward Arseny Gritsyuk has missed the last four games due to injury. The rookie has 16 points in 31 games.

“Coming back from the road trip and having these guys in the building and then on the ice, it gives the [team] “It’s a boost,” coach Sheldon Keefe said Sunday. “There is an emotional impact.”

Keefe said the challenge for his team is not to suddenly become passive because help has arrived.

“We have to keep playing like we have been playing and ask these players to improve on that,” he said. “Sometimes when you bring important people back into your group, the rest of the group can tend to take a back seat. And that can’t happen.”

Sunday was Hughes’ first appearance since his injury and the first time he faced questions about his brother, star defenseman Quinn Hughes, who was traded to the Minnesota Wild last week.

Sources told ESPN that the Vancouver Canucks first approached the Devils to discuss trade destinations for Quinn Hughes, as his brothers Jack and Luke both play in New Jersey. Ultimately, the Canucks opted to trade Hughes to the Wild for center Marco Rossi, forward Liam Ohgren, defenseman Zeev Buium and a 2026 first-round draft pick.

“It happened quickly,” Jack Hughes said, adding that there was “a little bit” of disappointment that the three brothers were not united. “I think he’s happy in Minnesota now. They have a great team there and they’re playing well. … We’re happy for him.”