Matt Cooke Show: "We're Ready To Do Business"
PITTSBURGH (93-7 The Fan) - Hours after helping the Penguins demolish the New York Islanders, Pittsburgh winger Matt Cooke stops by Vinnie & Cook for his weekly appearance on Sportsradio 93-7 The Fan.
Cooke hopes that 5-0 result against New York sent a message to the rest of the NHL playoff field.
"We're ready to go out and do business no matter who it is," Cooke said. "Our system doesn't change whether Sid's in the lineup, Geno's in the lineup, or Brooks is in the lineup."
"We have a group of defensemen that are capable of getting the job done, and a group of forwards that can play many different styles if we have to. We know that there's going to be injuries and adversity, but I think we're a lot stronger group this year. We're able to handle those things a lot better."
As for the Islanders, Cooke expects their effort to improve as the series continues.
"That's their first real experience as a group for playoff hockey," Cooke said. "By no means do I take that as a statement of the team they are. They're a great team with a lot of skill and speed. We're going to have to go out, get back on the horse, and be at our best if we wan to be successful. This is just one game. That's all it is."
Cooke gives high praise to rookie Beau Bennett and the penalty kill, explains why they turned up the physical play on Islanders star John Tavares, and dives into his pregame routine.
