QUINN HUGHES

Hughes Sparks Wild Attack in Nashville

Assist, heavy shot volume and steady minutes keep Minnesota creating the game’s best looks

Quinn Hughes is the catalytic playmaker and shot driver for Minnesota tonight. He’s directly involved in the action: 1 assist, 5 shots on goal, and an individual expected-goals figure of 0.32 — numbers that show he’s not just passing the puck, he’s forcing looks and taking chances himself. Hughes has been on the ice for 25:12, which helps explain why the Wild have been able to sustain pressure and rack up dangerous chances; Minnesota leads the game with 20 high-danger chances, and Hughes is a clear engine behind that volume. His live Game Grade of 7.7 ties the box-score actions together: steady minutes, creation on the rush and a heavy shot presence that produces rebounds and second opportunities. Those contributions don’t always show up as goals, but they’re exactly the sort of play that keeps Nashville defending and gives Minnesota the better looks all night.