Pittsburgh Penguins' Matt Cooke and His Five Most Infamous Moments

The Pittsburgh Penguins have been at the forefront of the fight to hold the NHL more accountable about headshots and suspensions.

That’s why the Matt Cooke's elbow to New York Rangers' Ryan McDonaugh is so ironic. Cooke is a repeat offender and always seems to be aiming for the head of his opponent.

It will be interesting to see whether or not the Penguins’ franchise acts before the NHL does to prove its point.

While we wait, enjoy the following list of the five most infamous moments in Cooke’s questionable career.

5. Cooke Destroys Andrei Markov

Montreal Canadians defender Andrei Markov was clearing the puck when Matt Cooke lined him up and laid him out.

While the hit was clean, it angered the Montreal faithful and showed the aggressiveness of Cooke’s play.

This hit showed that even when the hit is clean, Cooke will be scrutinized more than most other players.

4. Cooke Shoulders Artem Anisimov

Matt Cooke has become a virtuoso at leveling people at open ice.

The devastation of coming from the blindside to land a hit on a streaking player is what the league will try to eliminate.

According to the NHL, this hit was done with the shoulder to Rangers Artem Anisimov only warranted a two game suspension.

3. Cooke Elbows Ryan McDonagh

It seems that Matt Cooke was up to his old tricks and this time, and it may cost the franchise dearly.

For an organization that is trying to be at the forefront of the hitting and concussion battle, Cooke’s behavior is detrimental to what they are trying to accomplish.

Cooke lined up and caught Rangers' Ryan McDonagh along the boards, and when he turned around, Cooke raised his elbow and caught him in the face.

There was obvious intent to injure, so we will see what the NHL has in store for Cooke.

2. Cooke Boards Fedor Tyutin

This was may not have been one of Cooke’s most vicious hits, but it’s what he says after the hit that turns everyone off.

Cooke claims that Tyutin turned on purpose to draw the boarding call. While the video seems to show otherwise, intention is almost impossible to prove through video.

The NHL thought it deserved a four game suspension, and the penalties will start to get more severe every time he does these things.

1. Cooke Knocks Out Marc Savard

When I saw Matt Cooke hit Marc Savard, as a Flyers writer, I saw the hit from Scotts Stevens on Eric Lindros.

I do not believe Marc Savard will ever be the player he was before the hit, and this is the perfect example of what the league needs to outlaw.

NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said that it didn’t warrant a suspension because there is nothing in the rulebook to stop it.

While I agree that players need to keep their heads up coming through the neutral zone and into the offensive zone, these types of hits are terrible for the sport.