Rangers Vs. Penguins: Matt Cooke’s Elbow Costs Propels Rangers Rally, Costs Pittsburgh 2 Points

It's official: Matt Cooke will never learn. The Penguins forward was up to his usual antics again on Sunday afternoon, and this time, it cost his team two points in the standings.

A little under five minutes into the third period, with the score tied 1-1, Cooke elbowed Rangers defenseman Ryan McDonagh into the boards at center ice. The hit was blatant, disgusting and it even appeared premeditated.

McDonagh was okay and he stayed in the game, but Cooke did not. He received a five minute major for elbowing on the play and a game misconduct, and the NHL will certainly suspend him as well. On the ensuing power play, Pittsburgh actually took the lead on a shorthanded goal from Chris Kunitz. That didn't last long.

As the major was set to expire and with Matt Niskanen in the box for a four minute high sticking call, the Rangers finally capitalized. Two quick goals in 11 seconds from Marian Gaborik and Ryan Callahan turned that 2-1 deficit into a 3-2 lead, and New York never looked back.

Derek Stepan and Brandon Dubinsky added goals in the final 1:15 of the game to turn the game into a lopsided 5-2 final. The Penguins had a chance to gain ground on first-place Philadelphia in both the East and the Atlantic, but now they're giving up a game in hand instead while trailing by six points. The Rangers, on the other hand, earned some separation from the eighth-place Sabres.