The question that the hockey world is asking following the Rangers’ 5-2 win Saturday afternoon over Pittsburgh is how many?

How many games will Matt Cooke get (or not get) for his elbow to the jaw of unsuspecting Rangers defenseman Ryan McDonagh?

Cooke has become somewhat of a broken record, committing the same penalty again and again, continuing to be blatantly reckless. He is a poison to the league, and if true justice exists, he’d be suspended for the rest of the season AT LEAST. This is Cooke’s fourth suspension involving a hit to the head or hit from behind, and that justifies 10 games. Rangers President and GM Glen Sather thinks so too. Anything fewer is unacceptable.

I’m reserving judgment for the NHL until the ruling comes down because while many (including myself) haven’t agreed with some of the more recent suspensions handed (or not handed) down, the fact Cooke is a habitual should have some weight on it.

The Rangers made Cooke and the Penguins pay. Down 2-1 and Cooke tossed from the game and Penguins defenseman Matt Niskanen in the box for a four-minute high-sticking penalty, Marian Gaborik and Ryan Callahan scored 11 seconds apart.

With the win, the Rangers are still five points back from the Montreal Canadiens, who also won Sunday night.