Jack Hughes suffers injury while out with teammates ; viral photo fuels buzz

New Jersey Devils fans got some concerning news on Friday, as NHL insider Elliotte Friedman revealed that star center Jack Hughes suffered a hand injury during a team dinner Thursday night.

Details are still emerging, but multiple sources are calling it a “fluke accident” after Hughes apparently slipped and cut his hand while out with his teammates.

The Devils confirmed Hughes will not play Saturday against the Washington Capitals, though no exact timeline for his return has been announced.

Hughes had been off to a stellar start this season, recording 10 goals and 20 points in 17 games for a 12-4-1 Devils squad that currently leads the Metropolitan Division. Just this past Wednesday, he contributed two assists in New Jersey’s 4-3 overtime win against the Chicago Blackhawks, one of the standout performances of the NHL season so far.

Both Hughes and the Devils are hoping the injury is minor and doesn’t have long-term implications, especially with Team USA keeping an eye on their young star for the upcoming Olympics in February.

Fans will be watching closely as updates become available, hoping the center can return to the lineup quickly and continue his breakout season.

As the team made the announcement, a picture went viral of what appears to be the Devils' players, including Hughes, partying together. Some people are wondering if that's the same night, time and circumstances around Hughes getting hurt.