There’s a reason Jack Hughes is getting Hart Trophy buzz from New Jersey Devils fans this season and this pass should be Exhibit A as to why.
On Tuesday, the Devils hosted the Vegas Golden Knights in what ended up being a tight, highly-contested game. With the score 2-2 after Dougie Hamilton’s tying goal late in the third period, the two teams went to overtime to settle the score.
In overtime, Hughes absolutely took matters into his own hands, as the 21-year-old set up the game winner with an absolutely bonkers pass. Hughes was able to get off a one-handed backwards pass while on his knees and being swarmed by two Golden Knights to a wide-open Hamilton, who finished off the game with a one-timer for the score.
Absolutely psychotic pass from Jack Hughes to set up Douglas Gamewinner pic.twitter.com/UnUPcrBedv
— Pete Blackburn (@PeteBlackburn) January 25, 2023
What a play by Jack Hughes to set up the OT winner pic.twitter.com/A6xmBoWuyP
— Brady Trettenero (@BradyTrett) January 25, 2023
What an effort on this set up from Hughes. The play is nothing too fancy, just good old hard work and effort there from a youngster to keep the puck alive and ferry it over to his teammate. NHL fans were quite impressed with Hughes and his Herculean effort on the Devils’ overtime game winner.