No help for the Sabres in Pittsburgh today as the Penguins gave up four third-period goals and lost to the Rangers, 5-2. So New York has 82 points, four ahead of the Sabres as Buffalo has two games in hand heading into the 5 p.m. faceoff against Nashville.
The big story coming from Consol Energy Center, however, concerns Penguins agitator Matt Cooke, who took an incredibly foolish major for elbowing early in the third period with his team in a 2-1 lead that turned around the game. What is hypocritical Pens owner Mario Lemieux going to say about this one? He said teams should be held responsible for their players' actions after the schmaltz last month on Long Island and as part of last week's GM meetings proposed a system of team fines.
Based on Cooke's latest indiscretion, I think Lemieux should either start writing checks or do the right thing and release one of the league's dirtiest players if he wants to make a statement on head shots. Lemieux should also shut his mouth about any other team in the league as long as he employs Mr. Cooke.
Here's the video of the play and then vote in our poll for what penalty Cooke will get.
---Mike Harrington
(www.twitter.com/bnharrington)
