Devils' Offense Stepping Up Without Jack Hughes

When New Jersey Devils forward Jack Hughes suffered a freak injury at a team dinner, fans and pundits wondered if the team would stay afloat in the Metropolitan Division, Eastern Conference, and the NHL.

It is easy to see why people would be curious about such a thing. Jack was off to a fantastic start offensively and was showing why that when he is healthy, he is one of the game's best players.

Do not look now, but the Devils appear to be doing just fine without their superstar. As of this writing (Monday, December 1), the team is second in the Metropolitan Division, third in the Eastern Conference, and fifth in the NHL with a record of 16-8-0-1 for 33 points.

The main reason why the Devils are still winning hockey games at an impressive rate is because of their offense. Even without Jack, the team is currently 12th in the league in goals scored as they have scored 78 goals in 25 games, which means they are averaging just over three goals (3.12) per game.

A few forwards have really upped their offensive game during Hughes's absence. Devils' forward Jesper Bratt is a perfect example.

Bratt, 27, has continued to show that he might be the team's best offensive player. He is currently leading the team in scoring with 24 points (five goals and 19 assists) in 25 games.

Another forward that has come up big for this hockey club is team captain Nico Hischier. He is currently second on the team in scoring with 23 points (nine goals and 14 assists) in 25 games.

Here is what Hischier, 26 has done over his last five games:

- November 22 vs. the Philadelphia Flyers: Two goals and one assist for three points
- November 24 vs. the Detroit Red Wings: One goal and one assist for two points
- November 26 vs. the St. Louis Blues: One goal and two assists for three points
- November 28 vs. the Buffalo Sabres: One goal for one point
- November 29 vs. the Philadelphia Flyers: One assist for one point

If you are counting at home, that is ten points in his last five games. Hischier is a leader in every sense of the word, as he works hard every shift, is not afraid to go to the dirty areas to try and put the puck in the net, backchecks like crazy, and plays in all situations.

Timo Meier has also stepped up his game in a big way for this hockey club. Meier, 29, is currently third on the team in scoring with 21 points (nine goals and 12 assists) while also leading the team with four power play goals.

Like Hischier, Meier has been terrific over his last five games. Here is what he has done over that span:

- November 22 vs. the Philadelphia Flyers: One goal for one point
- November 24 vs. the Detroit Red Wings: One goal and one assist for two points
- November 26 vs. the St. Louis Blues: One goal and one assist for two points
- November 28 vs. the Buffalo Sabres: One assist for one point
- November 29 vs. the Philadelphia Flyers: One goal for one point

Another reason why the Devils are having success on offense is because they are clicking on the power play. As of this writing, they are eighth in the league with the man advantage, as they have converted on close to 24 percent (23.8) of the opportunities they have been given.

In all, the Devils offense has come up big when they need it the most. Considering the fact that they are still going to be without Jack for the next few weeks, the team's offense will have to continue leading them to wins if they want to keep up in what is a very competitive Metropolitan Division and Eastern Conference.