What observers say
“I had so many looks tonight. … I had breakaways, 2-on-1’s, and that goal was more for me,” said Jack Hughes following the New Jersey Devils’ decisive 6-3 victory over the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden on March 18, 2026. Hughes, who scored his 18th goal of the season, was a key player in a game that saw the Devils dominate their rivals.
The Devils’ win was fueled by strong performances from Hughes and Connor Brown, each contributing a goal and two assists. Nico Hischier and Jesper Bratt also made their mark, with Hischier adding a goal and an assist, while Bratt capped off the scoring with a goal late in the game. This victory marks a continuation of the Devils’ recent success against the Rangers, as they are now 5-0-1 in their last six regular season matchups.
In net, Jacob Markstrom made 14 saves for the Devils, while Jonathan Quick faced a barrage of shots, stopping 33 attempts from the Devils. The Rangers, who had previously won four straight games, have now dropped two consecutive contests, raising concerns about their performance as they head into the final stretch of the season.
Hughes’ performance was particularly noteworthy given his recent form; he has accumulated 18 points (six goals, 12 assists) in his past 11 games since returning from the 2026 Winter Olympics. His ability to create scoring opportunities was evident throughout the game, and his comments reflect his confidence and determination to contribute to the team’s success.
Bratt’s goal not only secured the win but also marked a personal milestone as he became the fifth player in Devils’ history to reach 500 career points. This achievement highlights his importance to the team and adds to the excitement surrounding the Devils’ current roster.
The Devils currently find themselves 10 points behind Boston and Detroit for the two Eastern Conference wild-card spots, making each game critical as they push for a playoff position. With the momentum from this victory, they will look to build on their success in their upcoming game against Washington on Friday night.
As for the Rangers, they will need to regroup quickly as they prepare to face Columbus on Thursday night. The pressure is on to reverse their recent fortunes and regain their winning form. The building was starting to rock when they scored their third goal, and it’s a crazy crowd, Hughes noted, emphasizing the electric atmosphere that surrounded the game.
