Jack Hughes is back.
The New Jersey Devils star forward will make his return to the lineup on Sunday against the Buffalo Sabres after missing the last 18 games, the forward announced.
Hughes has been out of the lineup since Nov. 12 after having surgery on his finger after he cut his hand at a team dinner.
“Yeah, I’m going to play tonight and just ease my way back in,” Hughes told reporters following morning skate.
The 24-year-old centre has been one of the biggest reasons for the Devils’ strong start to the season. He had 10 goals and 10 assists for 20 points with New Jersey sitting at the top of the Eastern Conference. However, the Devils lost 10 of 18 games without Hughes.
Getting back on the ice in game action paves the way for Hughes to be selected for the U.S. Olympic team. The roster deadline for the Milan Games is Dec. 31.
Winger Timo Meier is also set to return for New Jersey after taking a leave of absence earlier this month to attend to a family health matter.
The Devils now sit in the second wild-card spot as they take on a Sabres team on a five-game winning streak.
--with files from The Associated Press
