NHL

Penguins’ Cooke out through first round of playoffs after elbow to Rangers’ McDonagh

The NHL swiftly announced its punishment for Pittsburgh forward Matt Cooke’s elbow to the head of Rangers rookie defenseman Ryan McDonagh in Sunday’s 5-2 Rangers win, suspending the Penguins winger for the team’s final 10 games of the regular season, as well as the first round of the playoffs. Cooke also will forfeit $219,512.20 in salary.

It’s not the first time Cooke has run afoul of the league, as this will be his fourth suspension. He has previously picked up two separate two-game suspensions — including one from a hit on Rangers center Artem Anisimov on Nov. 29, and he was suspended four games last month for a hit on former Ranger and current Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Fedor Tyutin.

“Mr. Cooke, a repeat offender, directly and unnecessarily targeted the head of an opponent who was in an unsuspecting and vulnerable position,” said NHL Senior Executive Vice President of Hockey Operations Colin Campbell in a statement released by the league. “This isn’t the first time this season that we have had to address dangerous behavior on the ice by Mr. Cooke, and his conduct requires an appropriately harsh response.”

In response to the statement, Penguins general manager Ray Shero issued his own statement approving of the punishment.

“The suspension is warranted because that’s exactly the kind of hit we’re trying to get out of the game,” Shero said. “Head shots have no place in hockey. We’ve told Matt in no uncertain terms that this kind of action on the ice is unacceptable and cannot happen. Head shots must be dealt with severely, and the Pittsburgh Penguins support the NHL in sending this very strong message.”

McDonagh, who finished Sunday’s game and showed no post-concussion symptoms, was held out of yesterday’s practice as a precaution, according to Rangers coach John Tortorella. But Tortorella said that McDonagh “will be fine,” and he is expected to play tonight against the Panthers at the Garden.