Jan 29, 2026, 08:26 PM ET<\/p>\n
NEWARK, N.J. — Devils<\/a> center Jack Hughes<\/a> left Thursday night’s game against Nashville<\/a> in the first period and did not return at the start of the second.<\/p>\n Hughes skated just three shifts. He took one shift and went to the locker room before returning for another and then heading down the tunnel again followed by a trainer — all in the first 7:30 of the game. He logged 2 minutes, 27 seconds of ice time.<\/p>\n The team did not announce an injury status for Hughes.<\/p>\n Hughes, 24, missed five weeks<\/a> earlier this season after injuring his right thumb at a team dinner and undergoing surgery Nov. 15. Hughes had 14 points in his first 16 games back, including a pair of assists Tuesday night in a 4-3 home loss to Winnipeg.<\/p>\n Hughes’ latest absence comes two weeks before the U.S. is set to play its first game at the Milan Cortina Olympics. USA Hockey has already made one change to its 25-player roster, with Jackson LaCombe<\/a> replacing injured defenseman Seth Jones<\/a>.<\/p>\n