Overview
- Despite missing morning skate after a whirlwind trip home, Devils coach Shelton Keefe said he plans to play Hughes against the Sabres with no restrictions and the team prepared a pregame nod to his Olympic feat.
- Hughes lost teeth on a high stick in the final yet scored the 3‑on‑3 overtime winner against Canada, and a now‑viral photo of his bloody smile with a flag-draped shoulder was detailed by the Getty photographer who captured it.
- Team USA widened its celebration to honor Johnny Gaudreau, carrying his jersey and bringing his children onto center ice following the medal ceremony.
- The post‑gold itinerary included a Miami party, a presidential call and visibility at the State of the Union that drew partisan reaction, with Hughes later describing ties with the U.S. women’s team as tight.
- NBC/Peacock viewership for the overtime finish peaked at 26 million, which the network called the most ever for a pre‑9 a.m. ET sporting event.