Devils Disappointment Leads to Jack Hughes Frustration

New Jersey's loss to the lowly Calgary Flames sparks outburst from star center

Mar. 13, 2026 at 11:34am

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The New Jersey Devils suffered a demoralizing loss to the struggling Calgary Flames, leading to visible frustration from star center Jack Hughes after the game. The defeat highlighted issues with the Devils' defense, goaltending, and lack of scoring, despite their strong start to the season. The loss comes as the team looks to retool and get back to the form that saw them excel a few seasons ago.

Why it matters

The Devils' loss to a team that sold off its top players at the trade deadline is a concerning sign for a team with playoff aspirations. Hughes' public frustration signals growing tensions within the organization as they try to right the ship and get back to their earlier success.

The details

The Devils fell 4-2 to the Flames, a team that had sold off its top players at the trade deadline. The defeat came despite the Devils having a $6 million goaltender in net for his seventh straight start, and the defense failing to provide adequate support. The Devils waited until the final 10 minutes to mount a real push, but it was too late.

  • The Devils lost to the Flames on Thursday, March 13, 2026.
  • This was the first time since the Olympic break that Jack Hughes has shown visible frustration after a game.

The players

Jack Hughes

The star center for the New Jersey Devils who expressed frustration after the team's loss to the Flames.

Jacob Markstrom

The Flames' goaltender who was beaten by two former Devils players in the game.

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What they’re saying

“Here's Jack Hughes after the game spilling his frustrations with a few things, including the Devils' lack of scoring ability, from the locker room.”

— Jack Hughes

What’s next

The Devils will need to address the issues that led to this disappointing loss, including their goaltending, defense, and scoring, as they look to get back on track and make a push for the playoffs.

The takeaway

The Devils' loss to a struggling Flames team, coupled with Jack Hughes' visible frustration, highlights the growing concerns within the organization as they try to recapture the form that made them successful just a few seasons ago. The team will need to make some adjustments to get back on track and fulfill their playoff aspirations.