Devils vs. Canucks Preview: Battle of the Hughes Brothers

Jack and Luke Hughes will need to lead the way against brother Quinn and the Vancouver Canucks if they want to rebound from a loss to the Sharks

The New Jersey Devils are coming off a disappointing 6-3 loss to the San Jose Sharks and will look to avenge it against the Vancouver Canucks in the first edition of the Battle of the Hughes Brothers for the 2023-24 season. Here are some keys to victory as the Devils look to make it four wins in their last five games. 

Cleaning Up From the Sharks Game

The Canucks have gotten off to a hot start thanks to some incredible performances from their top players. J.T. Miller has 36 points in 25 games, Quinn Hughes has 34 in 25 contests, and Elias Pettersson has 32 in 25 outings. Even Brock Boeser is thriving after a couple of tough seasons, with 17 goals in 25 contests. 

The Canucks have a high-flying offense and can put the puck in the back of the net due to some high-end finishing talent. That means the Devils will have to be much more disciplined with their puck management and decision-making. 

Ill-timed pinches in the offensive zone like Kevin Bahl's that led to an odd-man rush and a goal against in the Sharks game can't happen. If it does, the Canucks certainly have the firepower to make the Devils pay, especially with New Jersey's goaltending struggles. 

The Devils' passing will have to be sharper than it was against the Sharks. I don't think they turn the puck over more than other teams on the season as a whole, but they can't have a lack of respect for the game, as coach Lindy Ruff said after the game against San Jose. 

The Canucks started the season as one of the weaker five-on-five teams, but they've come alive over their last ten games, totaling a 53.59 expected goals percentage (xG%). That's another reason why the Devils have to be sound defensively and smarter with the puck, because the Canucks are playing solid hockey and not just getting lucky. 

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