Devils' Jack Hughes Shares Moment with Eli Manning After Rangers Clash

U.S. Olympic hero scores hat trick in Devils' win over rivals

Published on Mar. 8, 2026

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New Jersey Devils star Jack Hughes scored a hat trick in his team's 6-3 victory over the New York Rangers, continuing his strong play since returning from the Olympics. After the game, Hughes posed for a photo with former New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning and his family, highlighting Hughes' growing celebrity status.

Why it matters

The Devils-Rangers rivalry is one of the fiercest in the NHL, and Hughes' standout performance in this matchup showcases his elite talent. His Olympic heroics and continued success in the NHL have made him a rising star, drawing the attention of other sports celebrities like Manning.

The details

Hughes scored his first goal of the game in the second period to give the Devils a 3-2 lead. After the Rangers tied it, Nico Hischier put the Devils back ahead 4-3 before Hughes added two more goals late in the third period to complete the hat trick. Hughes now has 15 goals and 45 points in 42 games this season.

  • Hughes scored his first goal of the game with just over 4 minutes left in the second period.
  • Nico Hischier gave the Devils a 4-3 lead before Hughes scored two more goals late in the third period.

The players

Jack Hughes

A star forward for the New Jersey Devils who recently won a gold medal for the U.S. Olympic hockey team.

Eli Manning

A former quarterback for the New York Giants who won two Super Bowl championships with the team.

Nico Hischier

A forward for the New Jersey Devils who scored the go-ahead goal in the game against the Rangers.

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What they’re saying

“When you look at the schedule, you're looking for the Rangers games. Devils and Rangers. … Great rivalry, great fan bases. It's fun to go into [Madison Square Garden] and it's fun here when there's a lot of Rangers fans and a lot of red too, Devils fans. I enjoy playing these games. It's a game you circle on the calendar and you want to be a part of.”

— Jack Hughes (NHL.com)

What’s next

The Devils will host the Detroit Red Wings on Sunday as they look to extend their winning streak to five games.

The takeaway

Jack Hughes' standout performance against the Rangers, capped by a hat trick and a photo op with Eli Manning, solidifies his status as a rising star in the NHL and a key player in one of the league's fiercest rivalries.