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Team USA hero Jack Hughes received another standing ovation Thursday, but this time it was from the visiting crowd.
When the starting lineups were announced prior to the Pittsburgh Penguins’ 4-1 victory over the New Jersey Devils at PPG Paints Arena, Hughes received another standing ovation from the Pittsburgh faithful.
It was the second such recognition for Hughes in two days, as the Devils’ home crowd gave their superstar plenty of love after 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 before the NHL game between the Pittsburgh Penguins and the New Jersey Devils at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. February 26, 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 victory over Canada in the gold medal game on Sunday.
Standing ovations from the visiting crowd are likely to become commonplace when the Devils play in the United States, while boos are likely to occur in Canada.
Jack Hughes of the New Jersey Devils is honored along with other Olympic hockey players present before an NHL hockey game against the Pittsburgh Penguins in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. February 26, 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. When their raucous celebration concluded, they flew to Washington, D.C., 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 team’s only goal in the team’s loss on Wednesday and in the Devils’ loss on Thursday.
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Jack Hughes (86) of the New Jersey Devils is defended by Blake Lizotte (46) of the Pittsburgh Penguins during the first period of an NHL hockey game in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. February 26, 2026. (Gene J. Puskar/AP Photo)
Hughes has played in 38 games this season and scored 12 goals and recorded 26 assists, averaging a point per game. He’ll look to help the Devils turn things around when they take on the St. Louis Blues on Saturday at 5 pm ET.
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