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John Carlson avoids Shanahammer for head shot on Matt Cooke

Washington Capitals v Tampa Bay Lightning - Game Three

TAMPA, FL - MAY 03: John Carlson #74 of the Washington Capitals celebrates his goal against the Tampa Bay Lightning in Game Three of the Eastern Conference Semifinals during the 2011 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at St Pete Times Forum on May 3, 2011 in Tampa, Florida. The Lightning defeated the Capitals 3-2. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

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Washington’s John Carlson isn’t going to be suspended for trying to take Matt Cooke’s head off in last night’s 2-1 loss to Pittsburgh.

Well, this should be good and divisive.

Carlson appeared to take a run at Cooke’s head with a move Cooke knows all too well, sticking his elbow out to hit Cooke as the two collided. The amount of irony in seeing Cooke knocked down to the ice by way of a highly dubious hit is not lost on us. We’re also sure there’s no one outside of Pittsburgh feeling sorry for Cooke, either.

Of course, Pittsburgh fans are less than pleased with the situation -- and they might have a beef here.

So did the league make a mistake in letting Carlson go without even so much as a hearing? Take a look at the video and see for yourself.