When the New Jersey Devils hit the ice on Friday for warmups against the New York Islanders, Jack Hughes was absent. The Devils superstar center was a scratch from the lineup, despite the belief the full roster heading to Prague would play.

Jack Hughes and the New Jersey Devils fell 5-1 to the New York Islanders in preseason on Friday night. Notably absent from the Devils lineup was star center Hughes, who was held out as a precaution by coach Sheldon Keefe.

The face-off circle will be the biggest point for Devils center Jack Hughes to improve his game this season. As the Devils’ top-line center with Timo Meier and Jesper Bratt on the wings, there’s a larger demand for Hughes to succeed defensively and win more face-offs.

Lindgren week to week for Rangers; Marchand practices in full for Bruins; Dahlin hopeful for Sabres' preseason game in Germany

There was a buzz in Newark on Thursday that hadn’t been present for a New Jersey Devils home opener in quite some time. The expectations have been raised and there’s excitement for hockey in New Jersey again.