Pens' Cooke Back In The Playoffs: Matt Cooke is ready for the playoffs after sitting out the 2010-11 postseason due to a suspension. (Updated 04/11/2012)
Injury Report
No information available at this time (Updated 5/27/12).
Fantasy Analysis
The gritty forward changed his ways in 2011-12, totaling only 44 penalty minutes while compiling 38 points. He had two goals -- including a 3-on-5 shortie -- in five games against the Flyers and finished the regular season with a career-high 19 goals. Matt Cooke has returned to his usual third line mates, Tyler Kennedy and Jordan Staal, after a productive fling with Sidney Crosby. (Updated 04/11/2012).
03/25/2012 21:49 Crosby scores again in Pens' victory
Sidney Crosby scored in his second straight game and added an assist to help the Pittsburgh Penguins beat the New Jersey Devils 5-2 on Sunday night.
03/24/2012 22:23 Winners & Losers: Red Wings get Nicklas Lidstrom back, end losing streak
Nicklas Lidstrom returned to the Red Wings lineup on Friday night as the team ended its season-long six-game losing streak. Elsewhere, the Buffalo Sabres moved into the eighth spot in the Eastern Conference and the Rangers took over the top spot in the NHL.
03/24/2012 22:16 Crosby scores first goal since return
Daniel Alfredsson had two goals and two assists, and the Ottawa Senators dealt Pittsburgh its first regulation loss in 15 games, beating the Penguins 8-4 on Saturday night.
03/23/2012 11:43 Predators struggling with turnovers, puck management
The Nashville Predators have always been a fundamentally sound, defensive team, but over the past couple of games they seem to be getting away from that recipe and it's hurting them on the scoreboard.
03/22/2012 21:43 Penguins tops Preds, clinch playoff spot
Evgeni Malkin scored twice, James Neal had four assists and the Pittsburgh Penguins clinched a playoff spot with a 5-1 victory over the Nashville Predators on Thursday night.
Cooke served a suspension near the end of the most recent regular season that cost him a chance to contribute in the postseason, as well. However, Pittsburgh GM Ray Shero stated in the summer that the team will welcome back the controversial winger. When he's on his game, Cooke serves as a serviceable fantasy winger with an ability to score 10-15 goals, compile 100-plus penalty minutes and ring up the hits -- he had 192 in 67 games in 2010-11. The NHL has seemingly made Cooke the poster boy for questionable hits and there's a good chance he'll serve another suspension in the upcoming campaign. When he's on the ice, though, he contributes with short-handed points (he had three shorties and six points total) and penalty minutes. As a result, Cooke represents decent late-draft value as a third-liner on an expected line with Jordan Staal and Tyler Kennedy. (Updated 10/4/11)
