Devils’ Jack Hughes Owns the Rangers; Can He Deliver What Keefe Wants?

Jack Hughes and the New Jersey Devils prepare to host the New York Rangers at Prudential Center, facing new starting goaltender Dylan Garand after Igor Shesterkin was sidelined by an injury. Hughes enters the rivalry matchup with 35 points in 26 career games against New York. However, head coach Sheldon Keefe has challenged Hughes and the roster to consistently generate scoring chances from the inside ice against a defensively structured Rangers squad.

James Nichols notes that the Devils have scored 12 of their 16 goals this season from within 25 feet of the net. While Hughes registered five inside shots and scored an overtime winner in a 5-4 victory over the Detroit Red Wings, New Jersey faces a Rangers team allowing the league's lowest-quality projected scoring chances.