Despite the whirlwind of events since his shining gold moment, Jack Hughes is expected to play on Wednesday night for the Devils.
The American star, who scored Team USA’s Olympic gold-winning overtime goal against Canada on Sunday, wasn’t at morning skate after traveling back from Washington D.C. late Tuesday night following President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address. Before that, Hughes and his teammates were also partying in Miami to celebrate the first men’s hockey gold medal since the 1980 “Miracle.”
Still, Devils head coach Shelton Keefe said he plans to play Hughes and doesn’t intend to limit him in any way as they take on the Sabres in their first game back since the Olympic break.
However, Keefe admitted he isn’t sure what the Devils are looking at as far as Hughes’ recovery time and rest.
“He’s been so busy; it’s been hard to communicate much with him. We’ll see where he’s at when he gets here today. Knowing him, He’ll want to be full in,” Keefe said.
Wednesday night will be Hughes’ homecoming to Prudential Center since being the American hero on the Milan ice. After getting multiple front teeth knocked out when taking a stick to the face during the third period, Hughes got his revenge during the 3-on-3 overtime period, slicing a wrist shot through the net.
There will be a pregame ceremony for the 24-year-old just before puck drop and the Devils are expecting it to be quite the celebration.
“They are all excited to see him,” Jonas Siegenthaler, who played for Switzerland in the Milan Games, told The Post Wednesday morning. “He’s going to get a lot of credit from the fans. We’ll be there as well and it will be cool to spend it with him. We’re happy for him and excited to see him.”