- Hughes flashed his repaired top teeth on The Pat McAfee Show Tuesday
- He pegged Carolina as the hardest rink to play in the NHL
- Read below for the full clip and his take on the Habs-Canes Eastern Conference Final
Jack Hughes is finally back to a full set of teeth.
He flashed the new look on The Pat McAfee Show Tuesday, a couple of months after taking a high stick to the mouth in the third period of the Olympic gold medal game in Milan. Rob Taub flagged the moment:
Sam Bennett’s stick chipped a few of Hughes’ top teeth in regulation. The 24-year-old came back for overtime, took a Zach Werenski pass, and snapped the golden goal past Jordan Binnington, toothless grin and all.
That smile became the face of Team USA’s first men’s hockey gold since 1980.
New Jersey confirmed back in March that Hughes had the top teeth repaired. Tuesday’s segment was just the first proper public look.
Talk then turned to the upcoming Eastern Conference Final between the Canadiens and Hurricanes. Hughes did not hold back on Carolina:
“Carolina’s probably the hardest rink to play in just with the fans and the way they play. The Caniacs are going to be so pumped. I really do hate to give them that, but it is a rocking spot, and they get after it in that building.”
He gave Montreal its due as well. Hughes has not been inside Bell Centre lately, but he had this to say about the building:
“Montreal, you gotta know, every road team that goes into Montreal is so juiced up because Bell Centre is an unbelievable atmosphere. Montreal is a good, exciting young team, and obviously, their arena rocks pretty good. So that’ll be a fun series.”
The Devils missed the playoffs this spring, so Hughes will be watching the dance from home. Game 1 between the Canadiens and Hurricanes drops Thursday night in Carolina.
