Many expected the New Jersey Devils to take the next step in the 2024-25 season. They’ve had a talented roster for years, and with new head coach Sheldon Keefe on the bench, some even had them pegged as contenders for the Cup this season.
But their start to the season hasn’t lived up to expectations.
They lost their third game in a row on Thursday, against the Detroit Red Wings, and near the end of the game, superstar Jack Hughes had a somewhat embarrassing moment as he tried to prevent an empty-netter for the Red Wings.
The Red Wings scored to make it 3-2 on the power play at 9:46 of the third, but the Devils tied it up with another power-play goal just two minutes later.
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The Red Wings were outshot by the Devils 40-20, but goalie Cam Talbot made 37 saves. With 3:32 remaining in the third period, Patrick Kane broke the tie with another power-play goal, and this time, the Devils were unable to bounce back.
Instead of another equalizer for the Devils, Michael Rasmussen scored an empty-netter at 19:48 for the 5-3 win. But the empty-netter also flared tempers due to what happened during the sequence.
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Jack Hughes tried to stop Rasmussen from putting the puck into the net by attempting to lay a hit on him. Instead, Rasmussen sent Hughes to the ice with a great reverse hit. With Hughes down, Rasmussen stared him down, chirped—and things got real heated.
It wasn’t a great look for Hughes, and the general consensus on social media was that Hughes was absolutely humiliated.
“The best part is Rasmussen didn’t even plant himself or lower his shoulder… Hughes is just that soft lol,” one user said on social media.
“And then he gets up all mad. Makes it even funnier,” another added.
“Top ten badass empty-netter right here,” a third commented.
