Devils support Luke Hughes after boos for 2 costly gaffes

Several New Jersey Devils supported Luke Hughes after the defenseman was booed on home ice Sunday for a pair of costly errors in a 3-1 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes.

Hughes scored on his own net in the opening minute, then lost the puck to Taylor Hall in front of the crease in the second period. The second mistake stood as the winning goal for Carolina.

Hughes took ownership of his gaffes after the loss.

"It is what it is. It's part of sports," Hughes said, per team reporter Sam Kasan. "Obviously, I made a couple mistakes today, and I gotta be better, and it is what it is."

Head coach Sheldon Keefe didn't appreciate the home crowd turning on the 22-year-old.

"It's disappointing that that was the reaction that we had in the building for the youngest player on the ice," he said. "But he'll give them lots of reasons to cheer in the future."

Goaltender Jake Allen, who started the contest, also thought the fans' reaction was unfair.

"I've made so many mistakes to count," Allen said. "I've had fans boo me. I've had this and that, which, listen, I don't think he deserves. He's a kid that made two mistakes in a hockey game. Whoever doesn't make mistakes, I'd love to meet you, you know? But, it's a tough situation for him. In a game like that, probably something he's never felt before."

Hughes has struggled defensively this season but has produced 21 points in 42 games while averaging over 23 minutes per contest. He's in his third full NHL season after being drafted fourth overall in 2021, and he's playing the first campaign of a seven-year, $63-million contract signed in October after negotiations lingered through training camp.