In a tense matchup at Prudential Center, Luke Hughes faced the wrath of Devils fans after scoring two own goals against the Carolina Hurricanes. This critical midseason game saw the Devils struggling against their division rivals, who currently lead with 51 points.
Key Events from the Game
The crowd’s discontent was palpable from the start. Hughes’ first mistake occurred less than a minute into the game. Attempting a clear, he unintentionally redirected the puck into his own net, leaving fans in shock.
- Game Date: Recent midseason matchup
- Opponent: Carolina Hurricanes
- Goals Scored by Hughes: 2 own goals
- First Goal Timing: Less than 1 minute
- Second Goal Timing: 7:47 of the second period
- Current Division Leader Points: 51
Fan Reactions
After his first mistake, the crowd collectively groaned as Hughes grabbed his helmet in disbelief. His struggles continued when a second goal deflected off his stick, deepening the fans’ frustrations. Throughout the second period, Hughes experienced 16 instances of booing from the disgruntled crowd.
Hughes’ Performance Overview
Luke Hughes, 22, has encountered significant challenges during the first half of the 2025-26 season. He has accumulated 21 points over 41 games. This performance comes after signing a substantial seven-year, $63 million contract in October.
Notably, Hughes missed training camp following a contract holdout, which may have impacted his play. As the season progresses, the pressure on him to improve remains high, especially with fan expectations weighing heavily on his shoulders.
