Jack Hughes Botches Penalty Shot to Lose Game

The New Jersey Devils traveled to Anaheim to face off against a bottom-three Western Conference team, the Ducks. The Devils and Jack Hughes started out the season hot, as the young star was in the early conversations for MVP, leading his team to a 19-10-2 record. Since his injury in early January, things have been rocky for New Jersey, as they collected a losing record during that stretch. With March starting and the playoffs rapidly approaching, the Devils aimed to right the ship and get their spot back in the playoff race against a bottom-tier team.

It was Anaheim that struck first though, scoring within the first four minutes of the game. Later on, in the first period, Jack Hughes assisted Timo Meier to tie the game. That was short-lived when the Ducks scored a minute later, then piled it on by scoring first in the second period on their way to a 3-1 lead. Hughes would change the game once again with 4:33 left in the second, scoring to cut the lead to one goal. However, just over a minute later the Ducks scored to increase their lead back to two goals. 

The third period was quiet the whole way. Needing a huge play with 2:57 left in the game, the Devils were given a power play that they converted on with a goal by Tyler Toffoli. Now down one goal, the Devils sent every attack they could towards the end of the game. With two seconds left, a penalty was called on the Ducks that gave the Devils a penalty shot. This gave Jack Hughes a one-on-one to tie the game in the final second. On the game's last play, Hughes fumbled possession of the puck and did not even get a shot off for the tie. Anaheim held on to win the game at home, sending the Devils to a 30-26-4 record at six points behind a wild card spot.