The New Jersey Devils weren't able to win in Jack Hughes' return

The New Jersey Devils came into Thursday night's game feeling good about themselves after beating the big bad Colorado Avalanche earlier in the week.

They also added Jack Hughes back into the lineup which means they are getting one of the best offensive players in the NHL back.

Unfortunately, he doesn't play goalie too. They were unable to win in his return to the lineup after being out for 11 straight games.

The Devils took a 1-0 lead in the first period thanks to some very good play from Nico Hischier, Jesper Bratt, and Ondrej Palat.

From there, the team imploded. Vitek Vanecek let in a few soft goals in a row and they found themselves trailing 3-1.

The New Jersey Devils didn't get a good game from Vitek Vanecek

Nico Hischier scored a shorthanded goal to get them back within one but then Calgary took a 4-2 lead on another soft goal.

Remarkably, Palat scored another goal to bring the Devils within one again. The Hischier line made plays all game long and it showed on the score sheet. That makes two brilliant games in a row for them.

Not long after the Devils got that third goal, Calgary threw one into the empty net when the Devils pulled Vanecek and won the game by a final score of 5-3.

This team doesn't quit and they have what it takes to score goals. It feels like that ability is being wasted. They forced Jacob Markstrom to make 37 saves which tells you how well he played. There is a clear difference between having a good goalie and a subpar one.

It isn't always fair to pin it on the goaltender but he wasn't good in this game. He let one sneak through him because he thought it was trapped and he allowed another on a spinning shot. It wasn't like Calgary was making these insane plays to beat the goalie.

He had a couple of nice saves in the game as well but that isn't enough. It is hard to make the playoffs without solid goaltending for full-game stretches.

Hughes didn't collect a point in his return. He had somewhat limited ice time as Lindy Ruff is easing him back in. When he was on the ice, he looked like his normal self. He was making great plays to create chances for both himself and his teammates.

He is just a bit different than the other good offensive players on the team. The way he backs off defenders is a skill that only about ten players in the league have. Points will come.

Still, the Devils need a complete team to get wins down the stretch. Jack Hughes is going to be a big help as he gets back into the swing of things but they need to be better around him.

Yes, it was mostly a goalie loss but a loss is a loss. With a big road game against the Carolina Hurricanes looming on Saturday night, they need to have a good look in the mirror before then.