Pens' Cooke says he needs to change way he plays

PITTSBURGH — Penguins forward Matt Cooke says he needs to change the way he plays after the NHL levied its stiffest suspension of the season against him.

The veteran left wing told the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review late Monday that he "made a mistake" and that he takes responsibility for elbowing defenseman Ryan McDonagh of the New York Rangers in the head one day earlier.

Cooke was suspended for the remainder of the regular season and the first round of the playoffs. He is the fourth player to be suspended for the remainder of a season.

The suspension came down Monday, before Pittsburgh beat the Detroit Red Wings 5-4 in a shootout. Adding in at least four postseason games, Cooke will sit out a minimum of 14 games. He will also lose $219,512.20 in salary.