Canucks Next Game: Hughes versus Hughes is Devils’ marquee material

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Brothers Quinn and Jack Hughes will square off against each other for just the third time in the NHL

Publishing date:

February 28, 2022 • 10 minutes ago • 2 minute read • Join the conversation

Brothers Quinn and Jack Hughes will square off against each other for just the third time in the NHL.
Brothers Quinn and Jack Hughes will square off against each other for just the third time in the NHL. Photo by Bruce Bennett /Getty Images

VANCOUVER CANUCKS

25-22-6, 6th in Pacific Division

(before Sunday game)

at NEW JERSEY DEVILS

18-29-5, 8th in Metropolitan Division

Today, 4:30 p.m., Prudential Center

TV: sportsnet, Radio: Sportsnet 650

WHY WATCH

Oh brother, can Quinn Hughes get leg up on sibling Jack?

The Devils are 24 points out of a wild-card playoff position. It says everything about a roster in desperate need of trade-deadline improvement. In the interim, a sibling rivalry should spark interest. Fleet-footed and laser-like passing Quinn versus sharpshooting brother Jack is marquee material. In their first NHL encounter, Jack scored in a 1-0 home-ice triumph on Oct, 19, 2019. The Devils then won 2-1 in Vancouver on Nov. 10, 2019, Quinn had an assist, three shots, eight attempts . Jack had no points, three shots, six attempts.

LEADER POINTS

CANUCKS (before Sunday game)

1. JT Miller GP 51 W 20 A 37 PTS 57 (+4)

2. Quinn Hughes GP 48 W 4 A 37 PTS 41 (+11)

3. Elias Pettersson GP 53 W 16 A 21 PTS 37 (+2)

DEVILS

1. Jesper Bratt GP 47 W 18 A 30 PTS 48 (+1)

2. Jack Hughes GP 32 W 15 A 21 PTS 36 (-11)

3. Nico Hischier GP 46 W 14 A 19 PTS 33 (+2)

SPECIAL TEAMS

CANUCKS: PP 20.5% (16th) PK 70.1% (32nd)

DEVILS: PP 17.7% (23rd) PK 81.6% (11th)

THREE THINGS ABOUT THE DEVILS

• Jumping Jack Flash: Jack Hughes is producing more than a point per game, which speaks to the center’s drive after returning Nov. 30 from missing 17 games with a dislocated left shoulder. The first overall selection in the 2019 draft has six goals in his last 11 games. He also has two game-winners and two overtime goals.

• Is Zacha trade chip?: The Devils need top-six help and Canucks right-winger Brock Boeser is on their trade-deadline radar. He has yearly outputs of 29, 26 and 23 goals. Devils center Pavel Zacha has 24 points (12-12) and could fill the Canucks’ third-line hole next season.

• Is Severson inplay?: The Canucks need a big, proven, right-shot defenseman and Damon Severson, 27, would add stability and scoring. He’s under contract next season at a US$4.16 million salary cap hit. Boeser could be part of the trade package.

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