Hughes (upper body) won't play in Game 5 against Carolina on Tuesday, Amanda Stein of the Devils' official site reports.

EDGE Analysis

Hughes will miss his fourth straight game after getting injured in New Jersey's playoff opener. The 21-year-old defender had seven goals, 44 points, 121 shots net and 60 blocked shots across 71 appearances during the 2024-25 regular season. With Hughes, Brenden Dillon (lower body) and Johnny Kovacevic (undisclosed) unavailable for Game 5, Brian Dumoulin, Dougie Hamilton, Brett Pesce and Jonas Siegenthaler will likely continue to log heavy minutes in a must-win matchup for the Devils. The Hurricanes hold a 3-1 series lead and can advance to Round 2 of the postseason with a victory in Tuesday's contest.

Hughes (upper body) will not play Sunday in Game 4 against the Hurricanes, Amanda Stein of the Devils' official site reports.

EDGE Analysis

It'll be the third straight game Hughes has missed in the series. With Hughes and Brenden Dillon (lower body) ruled out and Johnny Kovacevic's (undisclosed) status still unclear, the Devils will probably lean on Brian Dumoulin, Brett Pesce, Dougie Hamilton and Jonas Siegenthaler in Game 4.

Hughes (upper body) will remain on the shelf for Game 2 against Carolina on Friday.

EDGE Analysis

Hughes' absence, along with that of Brenden Dillon (lower body), will stretch the Devils' defensive corps -- though Jonas Siegenthaler (lower body) looks poised to return Friday. The 21-year-old Hughes is currently mired in a six-game goal drought but has contributed three helpers, including two with the man advantage, over that stretch.

Hughes is contending with an upper-body injury and will not be available Tuesday against Carolina in Game 2.

EDGE Analysis

Hughes was nicked up in Game 1, though he was able to finish the contest, logging two shots, one block and a minus-1 rating in 22:20 of ice time. The Devils will also be without Brenden Dillon (lower body) on the blue line Tuesday, so Dennis Cholowski and Simon Nemec will suit up and make their postseason debuts. Hughes will look to be ready for Game 3 on Friday in New Jersey.

Hughes (rest) will return to action for Game 1 in Carolina on Sunday, per Amanda Stein of the Devils' official site.

EDGE Analysis

The Devils rested all their top players Wednesday against Detroit as the game was meaningless as far as the regular season was concerned. Hughes had seven goals and 37 assists in 71 regular-season contests this season. He will likely be demoted to the second power play during the playoffs as Dougie Hamilton (lower body) returned to the lineup Wednesday after missing 18 games.

Hughes (rest) won't play in Wednesday's regular-season finale versus Detroit, per Amanda Stein of the Devils' official site.

EDGE Analysis

Hughes will presumably return to the lineup for Game 1 of New Jersey's first-round series against Carolina. He'll finish the regular season of his sophomore campaign with seven goals and 44 points in 71 outings. That's close to his 47-point showing in 2023-24 despite playing in fewer games -- he logged 82 in 2023-24 -- and seeing a major drop in power-play ice time -- he averaged 1:38 this season compared to 3:27 as a rookie.

Hughes notched two assists, including one on the power play, in Tuesday's 5-4 overtime win over the Bruins.

EDGE Analysis

Hughes has racked up a goal and five helpers over his last seven contests. The 21-year-old may see a reduction in power-play time once Dougie Hamilton (lower body) returns. Hughes has put together a strong campaign with seven goals, 44 points, 121 shots on net, 60 blocked shots and a minus-9 rating over 71 outings while filling a top-four role most of the time.

Hughes produced a goal and an assist in Monday's 3-2 shootout win over the Wild.

EDGE Analysis

The 21-year-old blueliner opened the scoring midway through the first period before having a hand in a Nico Hischier tally in the third. It was Hughes' sixth multi-point performance in his last 13 appearances -- a stretch in which he's racked up two goals and 15 points, including eight helpers on the power play.

Hughes (groin) will draw back into the lineup Saturday, per Amanda Stein of the Devils' official site.

EDGE Analysis

Hughes missed Friday's 4-0 loss to the Jets due to the injury. He has six goals and 38 points in 64 outings in 2024-25. Now that he's back, Hughes is likely to serve in a top-four capacity and on the first power-play unit. Dennis Cholowski will be a healthy scratch.

Hughes (groin) will be a game-time decision Saturday versus Minnesota, per Amanda Stein of the Devils' official site.

EDGE Analysis

Hughes was held out of Friday's 4-0 loss to Winnipeg because of the injury. He has six goals, 38 points, 100 shots, 18 hits and 58 blocks in 64 outings in 2024-25. Dennis Cholowski will probably be a healthy scratch Saturday if Hughes is able to return.