Devils' Luke Hughes, Brenden Dillon out for Game 2 vs. Hurricanes

Field Level Media|published: Tue 22nd April, 14:12 2025

NHL: Minnesota Wild at New Jersey Devils

Mar 31, 2025; Newark, New Jersey, USA; New Jersey Devils defenseman Luke Hughes (43) celebrates his goal against the Minnesota Wild during the first period at Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-Imagn Images

New Jersey Devils defensemen Luke Hughes and Brenden Dillon will sit out Game 2 of the Eastern Conference first-round series against the Carolina Hurricanes in Raleigh, N.C.

Coach Sheldon Keefe ruled out both players after neither participated in the morning skate on Tuesday.

Hughes and Dillon sustained their respective, undisclosed injuries during New Jersey's 4-1 loss to Carolina in Game 1 on Sunday, with the latter exiting in the second period while the former was injured in the third.

"We'll have to get back to Jersey after today and see where they're at, but they'll be out tonight," Keefe said Tuesday.

Hughes, 21, had 44 points (seven goals, 37 assists) in 71 games this season.

Dillon, 34, totaled 16 points (two goals, 14 assists) while playing in all 82 games this season.

Simon Nemec, who was the No. 2 overall pick in the 2022 NHL Draft, and Dennis Cholowski are expected to play in the absence of Hughes and Dillon.

Forward Cody Glass also is expected to play after taking an inadvertent stick to the legs from his teammate, goaltender Jacob Markstrom, in the third period in Game 1.

--Field Level Media