PITTSBURGH — Pittsburgh Penguins forward Matt Cooke was not suspended Wednesday for a knee-to-knee hit on Erik Cole, one of two injured Carolina Hurricanes forwards who appear likely to miss Game 2 of the Eastern Conference finals on Thursday night.

Cooke rammed Cole while the two were crossing in front of the net during the third period of Pittsburgh's 3-2 victory in Game 1 on Monday night. Cole did not practice Wednesday and his status is a game-time decision, although the Hurricanes appeared to be preparing to play without him.

Hurricanes forward Tuomo Ruutu also didn't practice because of an injured right ankle and it is unlikely he will play in Game 2. Ruutu was hurt when Penguins defenseman Mark Eaton kicked his skate out from underneath him early in the first period, with Ruutu missing the rest of the game.

"It could have been worse, I guess," Hurricanes coach Paul Maurice said of the two injuries. "So we'll move forward positively."

Neither Eaton nor Cooke was penalized.

Some Hurricanes players aren't happy with Cooke, an aggressive player who often stretches the rules to the limit.

"I think when a player doesn't see someone coming and you finish him, it's a difficult play," center Eric Staal said.

Cooke defended himself, saying the collision was accidental and was not the result of a dirty play.