Devils edge Bruins in OT thriller

Paul Cotter's late goal lifts New Jersey over Boston

Mar. 17, 2026 at 6:23am

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In a close-fought matchup, the New Jersey Devils defeated the Boston Bruins 4-3 in overtime on Monday night. Paul Cotter scored the game-winning goal with just 7 seconds left in the extra period, capping off a back-and-forth contest that featured several lead changes.

Why it matters

This win keeps the Devils in the hunt for a playoff spot, though they still trail the Bruins by 11 points for the final Eastern Conference wild-card slot. The Bruins, meanwhile, continue to struggle with inconsistency, unable to string together consecutive wins during their recent 5-3-4 stretch.

The details

Cotter's overtime heroics came just moments after Boston's Charlie McAvoy nearly won it for the Bruins, but his shot deflected off the post. The Devils quickly countered, leading to Cotter's breakaway and first career overtime goal. In regulation, Cotter also scored a goal, while Jack Hughes recorded 3 assists to reach 400 career points. Boston got goals from David Pastrnak (2) and Pavel Zacha, but ultimately came up short.

  • The game was played on Monday, March 17, 2026 in Newark, New Jersey.
  • Cotter's game-winning goal came with just 7 seconds remaining in overtime.

The players

Paul Cotter

A forward for the New Jersey Devils who scored the game-winning goal in overtime.

Jack Hughes

A center for the New Jersey Devils who recorded 3 assists, surpassing 400 career points.

David Pastrnak

A forward for the Boston Bruins who scored 2 goals in the game.

Charlie McAvoy

A defenseman for the Boston Bruins who had a near-miss shot that hit the post late in overtime.

Jacob Markstrom

The goaltender for the New Jersey Devils who made 19 saves to earn his 20th win of the season.

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What they’re saying

“We knew it was going to be a tight game against a tough opponent like the Bruins. I'm just glad I could come through in overtime to get us the win.”

— Paul Cotter

“It's frustrating to come so close to winning it, only to have them score right at the end. We need to find a way to close out these close games.”

— Charlie McAvoy, Defenseman

What’s next

The Devils will look to build on this overtime win as they continue their push for a playoff spot, while the Bruins will aim to regain their consistency and secure their position in the Eastern Conference standings.

The takeaway

This thrilling overtime victory showcases the Devils' resilience and ability to battle back against a tough opponent like the Bruins. It also highlights the Bruins' ongoing struggles with inconsistency, an issue they'll need to address if they hope to solidify their playoff positioning.