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.
Jaw still on the floor with this entry / assist by Jack Hughes. Are you kidding me. https://t.co/33plQjQucv
— Mike Kelly (@MikeKellyNHL) January 25, 2023
Jack Hughes spamming the Guts attribute on that assist.
— Corey Sznajder (@ShutdownLine) January 25, 2023
This was a "How'd he do that?" pass by Jack Hughes to set up the Hamilton OT winner. https://t.co/79idBdKo4U
— Tom Gulitti (@TomGulittiNHL) January 25, 2023
P.K. Subban giving Jack Hughes all the love on the ESPN post-game:
"That was a superstar play" on Dougie's game-winner #NJDevils
— Alex Chauvancy (@AlexC_THW) January 25, 2023
Can’t stop watching this.
How did Jack Hughes — pinned to the boards and down on the ice — get this pass off to Dougie Hamilton for the one timer? 😳😳😳pic.twitter.com/yHWmg7tfkH
— Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) January 25, 2023
Jack Hughes casually making that pass to Dougie while he is pinned to the wall on his knees..
Just ridiculous. Next level.
— Devils Red Alert (@DevilsRedAlert) January 25, 2023
MVP PLAY BY JACK HUGHES!!!!! WHAT A FREAKING PASS!!! #NJDevils
— Tyler Bleszinski (@papiblez) January 25, 2023
We still don't know how Jack Hughes got this pass off. 🤯pic.twitter.com/9yXRj7Y5MK
— Covers (@Covers) January 25, 2023
That pass by Jack Hughes to set that game-winning goal up was absurd. Like pass of the year type stuff.
Hart Trophy type stuff. #NJDevils
— Devils Army Blog (@DevilsArmyBlog) January 25, 2023
