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

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.

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.

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

Dallas Stars left wing Adam Erne (73) is tripped up by New Jersey Devils right wing Timo Meier (28) during the first period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, March 24, 2026, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

New Jersey Devils defenseman Jonas Siegenthaler (71) skates with the puck as Dallas Stars center Wyatt Johnston (53) looks on during the first period of 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)

MESA, Ariz. (AP) — New York Yankees ace Gerrit Cole allowed an Alex Bregman homer and struck out three over 1 2/3 innings Tuesday in his second spring training outing after Tommy John surgery, an 8-3 win over the Chicago Cubs in their exhibition finale.

The 2023 AL Cy Young Award winner threw 26 pitches, 17 for strikes. Bregman's homer on a 1-0 sinker at the bottom of strike zone, was the only hit allowed by the 35-year-old right-hander.

Cole averaged 96.2 mph with 15 fastballs, down slightly from a 97.1 mph average for 10 fastballs in his first exhibition appearance, a scoreless inning against Boston on March 18.

Cole had Tommy John surgery on March 11 last year with Los Angeles Dodgers team physician Dr. Neal ElAttrache.

His last official outing was in Game 5 of the 2024 World Series that Oct. 30. The six-time All-Star pitched in two spring training games in 2025, on Feb. 28 and March 6.

Cole threw his first bullpen of spring training on Feb. 13 and faced hitters for the first time seven days later.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone projects Cole to make his season debut in late May or early June.

Cole’s 2024 season debut was delayed until June 19 because of nerve irritation and edema in his right elbow. He went 8-5 with a 3.41 ERA in 17 starts for New York and was 1-0 with a 2.17 ERA in five postseason starts.

Cole is signed to a $324 million, nine-year contract through 2028. He has a 153-80 career record and 3.18 ERA over 317 starts with Pittsburgh (2013-17), Houston (2018-19) and the Yankees (starting in 2020).

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

New York Yankees starting pitcher Gerrit Cole throws against the Chicago Cubs during the first inning of a spring training baseball game, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, in Mesa, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

New York Yankees starting pitcher Gerrit Cole throws against the Chicago Cubs during the first inning of a spring training baseball game, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, in Mesa, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

New York Yankees starting pitcher Gerrit Cole, center, gets a fist bump from Yankees catcher J.C. Escarra, left, as Yankees first baseman Ben Rice (22) looks on during the second inning of a spring training baseball game against the Chicago Cubs, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, in Mesa, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

New York Yankees starting pitcher Gerrit Cole walks off the field after his pitching outing during the second inning of a spring training baseball game against the Chicago Cubs, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, in Mesa, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

New York Yankees starting pitcher Gerrit Cole warms up during the first inning of a spring training baseball game against the Chicago Cubs, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, in Mesa, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)