Devils Dentist hits Jack Hughes with a diagnosis that will wipe the smile off his face

Team USA captured Olympic gold on Sunday after a chaotic battle against Canada. The victory was historic, but the physical toll on the American roster was absolutely staggering.

Hughes paid the ultimate price in blood and shattered bone. He took a vicious high stick straight to the mouth from Sam Bennett deep in the third period.

The elite sniper was left spitting chiclets onto the ice. He refused to stay in the locker room, returning to snipe the overtime winner and secure the gold medal.

But that adrenaline rush is wearing off fast, leaving a harsh reality in New Jersey. Dr. Jason Auerbach, the Devils' official oral surgeon, went on TMZ Live Monday to deliver the grim details.

The medical breakdown paints a painful picture for the young center. Auerbach confirmed the 24-year-old fractured his left front tooth and completely displaced an adjacent tooth during the collision.

The structural damage goes far beyond a standard hockey smile. The sheer force of the stick likely rattled his upper jaw, complicating the recovery timeline significantly.

Swelling is currently peaking in this mandatory 48-hour window. He faces massive restorative dental work before he can even think about chewing solid food or taking a hit.

A temporary fix is the only immediate option to get him back into game action. Expect him to strap on a full cage or bubble shield when the Devils resume their schedule.

The timing couldn't possibly be worse for the franchise. The Devils are currently sitting seventh in the Metropolitan Division and dropping fast in the standings.

They collapsed completely before the Olympic break, losing three straight games in embarrassing fashion. The locker room is tense and the margin for error is officially zero.

With 20 points in his first 17 games earlier this year, his offensive output is the engine keeping this roster afloat. Nobody else on the bench can drive the transition game like he does.

Missing any more games is a devastating blow for their playoff hopes. They need crisp passing and flawless controlled entries to survive the upcoming homestand.

The medical staff will monitor him closely. The rest of the season depends entirely on his pain tolerance and his ability to fight through the heavy facial swelling.