Jack Hughes notches pair of assists in return as Devils top Penguins

The New Jersey Devils have their Hart Trophy candidate back.

Jack Hughes returned to the lineup Saturday with a pair of assists in the Devils' 5-2 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Hughes sat out the previous four games due to what the club called an upper-body injury. With an assist on Dougie Hamilton's power-play goal in the second period, Hughes extended his personal point streak to 10 games. He has nine goals and 20 points over that span.

Hughes added his second point setting up Jasper Bratt's third period goal, pushing his season points total to 69.

Devils captain Nico Hischier added two goals and two assists for New Jersey, giving him his first-career four-point game.

The 21-year-old Hughes represented the Devils at the All-Star Game earlier this month. He sustained the injury playing against his brother, Quinn, and the Vancouver Canucks on Feb. 6.

Hughes entered Saturday leading the NHL in both wins above replacement and goals above replacement, according to Evolving Hockey.

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