Luke Hughes Named NHL's Third Star of Week | BLOG

Devils’ rookie defenseman Luke Hughes was named the NHL’s Third Star of the Week, running from Dec. 25-31.

Hughes, the fourth-overall pick in the 2021 NHL Draft, posted three goals and five points during three games during the week. The 6-foot-2, 184-pound blueliner recorded a three-game goal/point streak in that span.

Hughes, 20, became the sixth defenseman in the past 20 years with a three-game goal streak at age 20 or younger. The others are Owen Power, Mikhail Sergachev, Rasmus Ristolainen, Oliver Ekman-Larsson and Cam Fowler.

Hughes opened the week with a goal against the Columbus Blue Jackets on Dec. 27. He went end-to-end with the puck to score a highlight reel tally that tied the game at 3-3 late in the third period with just 1:25 left in regulation. The Devils would go on to win the game in overtime.

Hughes followed that up with a career-high three points at Ottawa on Dec. 29. He notched a goal and two assists. His two helpers tied a career high. Hughes finished the week by scoring a goal in his third straight game at Boston on Dec. 30 to cap his week.

Hughes has seven goals and 21 points in 35 games played this season. His 21 points ranks fourth overall among all NHL rookies, while his seven goals and 21 points both rank first among all rookie defensemen.

Carolina's Sebastian Aho (First) and New York Rangers' Artemi Panarin (Second) also received the accolade.