Both the home and road crowds are showing their appreciation for Jack Hughes after his gold medal-winning goal against Canada in the 2026 Winter Olympics.
One day after the New Jersey Devils star received a hero’s welcome at the Prudential Center, he got a standing ovation from a usually hostile Pittsburgh Penguins crowd during introductions Thursday.
The Penguins went on to win 4-1, with Hughes picking up an assist and two shots on goal.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Hughes figures to see a similar reception for at least the rest of the season, save for when the Devils travel to Canada. However, there’s only one of those games left on the team’s regular-season schedule, an April 5 date against the Montreal Canadiens.
It was only Sunday when Hughes reached immortality with the decisive goal in overtime of the gold-medal game. The former first overall NHL Draft pick has had an up-and-down career, thanks to a number of injuries, one of which came not long before the Olympics. He also famously lost two front teeth before his goal against the Canadians, which is already part of his growing legend.
Hughes spent his time between winning the gold medal in Italy and returning to the Devils by visiting the White House with his teammates. He was on the Congressional floor during President Donald Trump’s State of the Union on Tuesday and also addressed his team laughing at a joke at the expense of the gold medal-winning U.S. women’s team.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Now the task turns back to the Devils, who sit in second-to-last place in the Metropolitan Division at 29-29-2 after Thursday’s loss.