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Team USA hero Jack Hughes received another standing ovation Thursday, but this time it was from the away crowd.
When the starting lineups were announced prior to the Pittsburgh Penguins’ 4-1 win over the New Jersey Devils at PPG Paints Arena, Hughes received another standing ovation from the Pittsburgh faithful.
It was the second such accolade for Hughes in two days as the Devils’ home crowd gave their superstar plenty of love following his performance at the Olympics.
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New Jersey Devils center Jack Hughes (86) waves to the crowd as Olympic players are recognized prior to the NHL game between the Pittsburgh Penguins and the New Jersey Devils at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. 26 February 2026. (Jeanine Leech/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
The 24-year-old quickly became one of the most popular American hockey players in the NHL after scoring the golden goal in Team USA’s thrilling overtime win over Canada in the gold medal game on Sunday.
Standing ovations from road crowds will likely become a regular occurrence when the Devils play in the US, while in Canada he will likely be booed.
New Jersey Devils’ Jack Hughes is honored with other Olympic hockey players in attendance before an NHL hockey game against the Pittsburgh Penguins in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. 26 February 2026. (Gene J. Puskar/AP Photo)
It’s been a wild week for the Devils star. After Team USA’s victory in Milan, the team flew to Miami to celebrate their victory at E11even, a famous nightclub. After their raucous celebration ended, they flew up to Washington, DC, to meet with President Donald Trump and attend the State of the Union address on Tuesday.
The Devils’ first game back in action was Wednesday, a 2-1 loss to the Buffalo Sabres. Hughes had an assist on the lone goal in the team’s loss on Wednesday and in the Devils’ loss on Thursday.
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New Jersey Devils’ Jack Hughes (86) is defended by Pittsburgh Penguins’ Blake Lizotte (46) during the first period of an NHL hockey game in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. 26 February 2026. (Gene J. Puskar/AP Photo)
Hughes has played 38 games this season scoring 12 goals and registering 26 assists, averaging a point per game. match. He will look to help the Devils turn things around when they take on St. Louis Blues on Saturday at 17 A.M.
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