Possible Suspension Looms for Paul Cotter After Match Penalty for Illegal Check

The New Jersey Devils are in action this afternoon on home ice against the divisional foe New York Islanders, who were recently eliminated from any chance at competing in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

And while the Devils are headed to the playoffs, the status of forward Paul Cotter could soon be in question.

He delivered an illegal check to the head of Islanders defenseman Adam Pelech in the neutral zone; the bloodied Pelech soon emerged from off the ice and was furious.

Cotter was given a match penalty and thrown from the game, and could soon be hearing from the NHL Department of Player Safety thanks to his actions; they automatically review all match penalties.

This isn't the 1st time that Cotter has been hit with a match penalty for an illegal check to the head; while he was playing for the Vegas Golden Knights in 2023, he was thrown out of a November contest against the Washington Capitals after he hit now-ex Capitals forward Evgeny Kuznetsov:

Cotter, who has played in 217 career NHL games before today, has never faced a fine or suspension. He has 22 points (16G, 6A) in 78 games with 47 total penalty minutes.

Pelech has 21 points, all of them being assists, in 58 games this year with the Islanders.

The Devils have 2 games left before they meet the Carolina Hurricanes in the opening round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs later this month.