What makes Jack Hughes fun to watch? The excitement he can create on a single rush that winds up being a highlight reel goal.

Late in the first period of a tie game after Noah Dobson scored for the Islanders, the 20-year old center took matters into his own hands to answer back for the Devils. Using his great speed and skating, the ’19 top pick took off and fired a slap shot past Islanders goalie Ilya Sorokin to give the Devils a 2-1 lead.

Here’s how it looked on TV. And yes. That’s me at the beginning of the instant replay remarking about what I saw.

Having recently signed a big contract extension that’ll pay him an average of $8 million through 2030, Hughes is an exciting player who is capable of scoring and setting up goals. The future of the Devils hinges on the skilled American.

Without Nico Hischier and Ryan Graves due to COVID-19, the Devils will continue to need Hughes to lead the way. Maybe that goal was an answer to close friend Trevor Zegras. He’s been making a lot of news after his Michigan lacrosse pass resulted in a Sonny Milano goal for Anaheim. They are the first and ninth picks from that ’19 Draft.

Without a doubt, there should be more in store from Hughes. Something the Devils Red Army needs.