Jack Hughes approaching impressive Devils franchise record

At only 21 years old, center Jack Hughes has emerged as one of the league's most dynamic point-getters and is closing in quickly on an impressive New Jersey Devils franchise mark. 

Earlier this week, Hughes surpassed 70 points on the year thanks to his 25th multi-point game of the season. With 25 games remaining, Hughes is three multi-point efforts away from passing the Devils franchise record set by Taylor Hall during his Hart Trophy-winning 2017-18 season. 

Hughes' consistency might be the most impressive part of his breakout. As Devils' play-by-play announcer Bill Spaulding pointed out, Hughes has 14 more multi-point games than zero-point outings this year. 

On Tuesday, Hughes became the fastest Devils player to post 70 points in a single season, doing so in 53 games to top the previous record holder, John MacLean, who accomplished the feat in 56 games during the 1988-89 season. 

Hughes, in his fourth pro season, has already registered career-highs in goals (35), assists (36), and points (71). 

Despite missing four games this month with an upper-body injury, Hughes remains among the league leaders in several offensive categories. Entering Wednesday night's action, Hughes ranks fifth in the NHL in goals, tied with New York Islanders center Bo Horvat. Meanwhile, the former No.1 overall pick is ninth in the league in points, tied with Dallas Stars winger Jason Robertson and Toronto Maple Leafs forward Mitch Marner. 

Hughes is also helping the Devils win. With 79 points (37-15-5), Hughes and the Devils are third in the Eastern Conference, five points behind the Carolina Hurricanes (38-10-8) and 12 points back of the Boston Bruins (43-8-5), who won the best record in the entire NHL.