Rookie Luke Hughes delivers 'a great night,' Devils win Game 3 - ESPN

NEWARK, N.J. — Luke Hughes is 19 years old. His third ever game as a National Hockey League defenseman was Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs series between the New Jersey Devils and the Carolina Hurricanes, with his club attempting to climb out of a 2-0 hole.

Yet if there was pressure, he didn't feel it. If there were worries, he didn't have them.

«I don't really get nervous playing. I got a lot more nervous watching from up top,» said Luke Hughes, who had two assists in 12:55 of ice time, helping to energize the Devils in their 8-4 triumph at home on Sunday.

«I thought the fans were great. Loved the 'Luuuuuu' chants. But no nerves today.»

Hughes was drafted fourth overall in 2021 and signed with the Devils to join his brother Jack Hughes after his season with the University of Michigan ended. He had a goal and an assist in two regular-season games but hadn't seen the ice in the playoffs yet. With defenseman Ryan Graves injured, and his team needing an offensive spark after generating two goals in two games in Raleigh, coach Lindy Ruff made Hughes one of the seven defensemen he dressed against the Hurricanes.

«I thought Luke had a great night. From the first shift to the end of the game, for the young man to step in the way he did and play the way he did… you expect maybe you get a good game. He gave us a great game,» Ruff said.

Defenseman Brendan Smith said Luke Hughes is a «magnificent» skater.

«He skates like his brother. It's elite already. Obviously the more he plays the better he's going to be with decisions. But he can skate himself out of trouble and there only a few players that can do that in this league,» Smith said.

Hughes factored in on two Devils goals. His strong forechecking led to a chance that