The Ottawa Senators Need To Put Matt Cooke Out Of Their Minds To Beat The Penguins

Without a doubt, from the moment that the Penguins beat the Islanders in overtime of game 6 on Saturday night, one of the first things that came to mind for many was the Matt Cooke factor.  TSN immediately flashed back to Feb 13 when the incident happened involving Cooke’s skate and Erik Karlsson’s Achilles tendon.

May 7, 2013; Uniondale, NY, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins left wing Matt Cooke (24) and New York Islanders center Keith Aucoin (10) battle for the puck during the first period in game four of the first round of the 2013 Stanley Cup playoffs at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports

Well, the Senators better put that to rest first thing.  I would suggest a moratorium on medial questions involving Cooke and any look for revenge or payback, at least during the next two weeks.  Just like the Canadiens got wrapped up in the Lars Eller saga and it took their minds off the task at hand, the Senators will need all of their focus on the action on the ice and containing the Penguins’ explosive offense if they want to have a chance to knock off the #1 seed.

The Penguins are beatable, but it is going to take a focused, intense effort to do so.  The Senators have shown the ability to battle and not get counted out.  Cooke will no doubt be out there to stir some up, but Ottawa cannot let him get into their heads at any point.

If they still feel the need to exact some measure of revenge, I am sure Cooke will still be in the league next year, much to the chagrin of many.

After all, if the victim of the accident/incident can brush it aside, who can’t?