Hughes, selected by the New Jersey Devils with the No. 1 pick in the 2019 NHL Draft, and Lafreniere, chosen No. 1 by the New York Rangers in the 2020 NHL Draft, will play against each other for the first time in the NHL on Tuesday at Madison Square Garden (7 p.m. ET; MSG, MSG+, NHL.TV).
Though this is the first of eight games this season between the Devils and Rangers in the MassMutual East Division, they have been rivals since the Devils relocated to New Jersey and joined the Patrick Division for the 1982-83 season.
"You're looking at two teams with some great young players," said Devils coach Lindy Ruff, a Rangers assistant for three seasons before he was hired by New Jersey on July 9. "This rivalry is just starting to build. I think both clubs are going in the right direction and it's going to make for some real exciting hockey."
Hughes is in his second NHL season after scoring 21 points (seven goals, 14 assists) in 61 games as a rookie. The 19-year-old has three assists and is plus-2 in two games as the No. 1 center for the Devils this season.
"I saw things in the League that I didn't know coming into the League, so I'm more knowledgeable now and older so that definitely plays a part," Hughes said. "I'm continuing to learn and trying to figure things out."
Lafreniere, a 19-year-old forward, has no points and four shots on goal in two NHL games. He was the right wing on a line with center Ryan Strome and left wing Artemi Panarin in a 5-0 win against the New York Islanders on Jan. 16.
"[Hughes] deciphers the game in ways that allow him to be an impact player, and I think the beginning of this year has shown me that," said Craig Button, a former NHL general manager and current analyst for TSN. "There's a little bit more give-and-go, more recognition that if he holds onto the puck too long, those defensemen are going to close him off.
"[Lafreniere] looked a lot more comfortable with the puck in the second game, making more plays with more confidence. Both players know what they're up against, and that's what makes them on the track to stardom because, while they have the skills, they're also so smart."
When Hughes plays against Lafreniere on Tuesday, it will be the 16th time in NHL history that teenagers selected No. 1 in the NHL Draft in consecutive years have faced each other.
"The rivalry is always hot, it's always intense and obviously getting three young players of that caliber spices it up a little bit," said Rangers coach David Quinn, who cited New York forward Kaapo Kakko, the No. 2 pick in the 2019 draft. "But these rivalries have always been about the teams and about more than about one or two players. This is no different."
Hughes played against Buffalo Sabres defenseman Rasmus Dahlin, the No. 1 pick in the 2018 NHL Draft, twice last season. Dahlin tied the NHL record for most points in a game between teenagers chosen No. 1 in back-to-back years with three assists against Hughes and the Devils on Oct. 5, 2019.
Steven Stamkos (Tampa Bay Lighting, 2008) scored three points (two goals, one assist) against John Tavares (Islanders, 2009) on Feb. 4, 2010. Patrick Kane (Chicago Blackhawks, 2007) scored three points (two goals, one assist) against Erik Johnson (St. Louis Blues, 2006) on Jan. 16, 2008. Mario Lemieux (Pittsburgh Penguins, 1984) scored three points (one goal, two assists) against Brian Lawton (Minnesota North Stars, 1983) on Feb. 25, 1985.
Hughes said he expects Lafreniere to quickly find success in the NHL.
"I'm a Lafreniere fan. I know he'll be a great player in the League one day," Hughes said. "Hopefully he can have a great rookie year. I've always liked his game. I know him a little bit. He's a really nice dude.
"It'll be fun to play the Rangers, especially it being the Devils-Rangers rivalry. So when you look at it that way, I'm excited to play the Rangers."
NHL.com senior writer Dan Rosen contributed to this report
