Jack Hughes scores twice in a 4-goal 1st for Devils as Stars lose 2nd straight in regulation

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New Jersey Devils center Jack Hughes skates by his bench after scoring his first of two first period goals against the Dallas Stars during an NHL hockey game Tuesday, March 24, 2026, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

Dallas Stars center Wyatt Johnston (53) reacts after scoring a goal on New Jersey Devils goaltender Jake Allen (34) during the first period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, March 24, 2026, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez) — New Jersey Devils center Jack Hughes skates by his bench after scoring his first of two first period goals against the Dallas Stars during an NHL hockey game Tuesday, March 24, 2026, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

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10:48 PM on Tuesday, March 24

By SCHUYLER DIXON

DALLAS (AP) — Jack Hughes scored twice in New Jersey's four-goal first period, and the Devils handed Dallas consecutive losses in regulation for the first time in two months, beating the Stars 6-4 on Tuesday night.

Jesper Bratt and Connor Brown also had goals as the Devils put four of their first five shots past Jake Oettinger to end the Dallas goalie's career-best point streak at 14 games. Oettinger was pulled after the first period.

Wyatt Johnston had two goals to reach 40 for the first time in his career, and Jason Robertson scored his 39th for Dallas, which hadn't lost two in a row in regulation since dropping three straight from Jan. 13-18.

Johnston's second goal was his NHL-leading 24th on the power play, extending his franchise record set two nights earlier in a 3-2 loss to Vegas.

Playing for the first time since clinching a Western Conference playoff spot, the Stars lost to an East also-ran and fell seven points behind NHL-leading Colorado, their Central Division rival.

Hughes beat Oettinger one-on-one for both his goals, the latter when Luke Hughes connected with him on a two-line pass for a breakaway and a 4-1 lead 17:19 into the first.

Hughes has eight goals in eight games after going without one in his first five games following the gold medal-winning goal for Team USA against Canada in the Milan Cortina Olympics.

Johnston tied his career high with his 38th assist when Robertson got Dallas within a goal midway through the second period.

New Jersey's Timo Meier and Mavrik Bourque of Dallas traded third-period goals before an empty-netter from Dougie Hamilton.

Casey DeSmith replaced Oettinger and gave the Stars a chance late by stopping the first 12 shots he faced. Jake Allen had 23 saves for the Devils.

Up next

Devils: At Nashville on Thursday on the fourth game of a five-game trip.

Stars: At the Islanders on Thursday to start a four-game trip.

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AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl