Paul Cotter Finds Redemption In Devils 5-3 Victory Over Blue Jackets
New Jersey Devils forward Paul Cotter shot the puck past Columbus Blue Jackets goaltender Elvis Merzlikins, and the red light went on.
Mar 11, 2025; Newark, New Jersey, USA; New Jersey Devils center Paul Cotter (47) celebrates a goal against the Columbus Blue Jackets during the first period at Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-Imagn ImagesThe 25-year-old threw his hands out and glided to the glass, where his teammates Cody Glass and Stefan Noesen joined him in celebration.
Returning to the lineup after being a healthy scratch in his team's Sunday afternoon game against the Philadephia Flyers, Cotter found redemption in the first period of his team's Tuesday night game against the Blue Jackets.
After taking a holding penalty at the 11:21 mark of the first period, Cotter jumped out of the penalty box and scored an unassisted goal at the 9:11 mark.
The sequence evoked a few emotions, and after the game, Cotter reflected on returning to the lineup after serving as a healthy scratch.
"I guess it is similar to a career," he told The Hockey News. "You get called up, sent down, make a team, don't play as much as you want, then you start playing and get traded, (etc). It is a roller coaster. The game is. The career is. It is all about staying positive.
"There is a plan for me, and that was part of the big man's plan," he continued. "I didn't really realize it at first. (I was) pretty pissed off, but you just got to stay even."
The goal marked a new career high for the versatile forward, who scored his 14th for the first time in a single season.
"Huge goal for us," head coach Sheldon Keefe said of Cotter's goal. "Great for him. I am sure he was nervous for a couple of minutes in the box, but what a way to come out."
Cotter's goal was one of five New Jersey scored in the team's 5-3 victory over Columbus. He joined Nico Hischier, Jesper Bratt, Timo Meier, and Luke Hughes.
In addition to his goal, Cotter brought a ton of energy to the ice by being physically engaged in his 10:26 of ice time.
"Cotter has been here all year and has been a part of our team," Keefe continued. "We like him as a player, and it was a hard decision to sit him out. It was a big game here tonight and we hoped to get a motivated guy coming in."
Motivated indeed.
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