Devils' Jack Hughes mocked by fans after Michael Rasmussen posterizes, stares him down: 'Hughes needs to retire', 'Mega embarrassment'

NHL fans mocked Jack Hughes on social media after Red Wings center Michael Rasmussen scored an empty-net goal while delivering a strong check that posterized Hughes.

Jack Hughes attempted to prevent Rasmussen from scoring the empty-net goal but got smoked in the process. Rasmussen found the back of the net and stared down the Devils star afterward, chirping at him as tempers flared on the ice behind the goal.

Here's what fans said on X/Twitter, with one saying:

"I’m not joking Hughes needs to retire from the sport. There is no coming back from this."

Another chimed in:

"A double whammy & mega embarrassment for Hughes he got owned!"

Here are some of the other top reactions on X:

"Started off mad at the refs, came away mad at the team. How can you let yourself get pushed around like that? I mean this play right here is just bulletin board material," another fan tweeted.

"If he doesn’t try to do something the media says he quit, he went to stop a guy 8 inches taller. I respect the effort, Detroit ain’t doing shit this year," one X user chimed in.

"And I hate to say it, but it looks like he was not trying to Stop and hit rassmussens knee," one opined.

"I don’t care about the wings, it’s just refreshing to see this happen to one of the trick shot/prima donna players," another chimed in.

Jack Hughes' Devils lost to Red Wings

On Thursday, the Detroit Red Wings defeated the New Jersey Devils 5-3 at home in Little Caesars Arena. Cam Talbot delivered a solid performance between the pipes, making 40 saves with a .925 SV% for the home team.

Nico Hischier put the Devils up 1-0 after scoring on the powerplay at 12:11 of the first period. The Red Wings then responded with two quick goals in the 18th minute to extend the lead to 2-0.

Eric Haula tied the game 2-2 for the Devils at 4:59 of the second period. The period saw only this goal scored. Dylan Larkin put the Red Wings up 3-2 after scoring another on the powerplay 9:46 into the third period.

Hischier scored his second, again on the powerplay, to tie the game 3-3. Patrik Kane restored the Red Wings' lead to 4-3 before Rasmussen's empty net strike sealed a 5-3 win for the Detroit Red Wings.

Jack Hughes accumulated one point in the matchup and had eight shots on goal.