Jack Hughes will have just one more chance to get game action before the Olympics.
The New Jersey Devils forward won't play against the Columbus Blue Jackets on Tuesday due to a lower-body injury, head coach Sheldon Keefe told reporters.
New Jersey hosts the New York Islanders on Thursday in its final game before the Olympic break. Hughes is slated to skate for Team USA.
"He's trying to do everything that he can to get to that point but it's really up to the medical team at this point. They're not confident with where he's at but we'll just see what tomorrow brings," Keefe said.
Hughes has skated each of the past two days. Men's hockey competition in Milan begins Feb. 11, with the Americans set to open their tournament one day later against Latvia.
The 24-year-old Hughes has had a tough season with injuries, missing five weeks after cutting his right thumb at a team dinner, which forced him to have surgery.
In 36 games this season, the Orlando, Fla., native has 12 goals and 36 points.
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