Matthew Tkachuk suspended two games for elbowing Drew Doughty

The Calgary Flames begin a three game eastern road trip Tuesday evening against the Washington Capitals. But they’ll be doing it without a key piece of their team, as the National Hockey League has suspended rookie winger Matthew Tkachuk for two games for elbowing Drew Doughty during last night’s game.

In their suspension video, the NHL’s Department of Player Safety cited the contact to Doughty’s face and the reckless nature of the infraction in deciding that it merited supplemental discipline. They didn’t buy Tkachuk’s explanation that he was merely trying to protect the puck.

The suspension will be served on Tuesday against Washington and Thursday against Nashville. As a result of the suspension, Tkachuk will forfeit a portion of his salary to the NHL’s Player Emergency Fund. The Flames are currently carrying one extra forward, Freddie Hamilton, so given they’ll be without Tkachuk and Micheal Ferland (who’s not on the road trip) for the next couple games expect them to recall a player prior to Tuesday’s game.