Flames' Matthew Tkachuk suspended 2 games for elbow

Calgary Flames rookie Matthew Tkachuk has been suspended two games for elbowing Los Angeles Kings defenceman Drew Doughty in the face.

Tkachuk will miss the Flames' upcoming games Tuesday at the Washington Capitals and Thursday at the Nashville Predators. The NHL's department of player safety announced the suspension Monday night.

The play occurred late in the first period of Sunday's game between the Flames and Kings.

Tkachuk was behind L.A.'s net when the puck rimmed around the boards toward him. Doughty moved from in front of the net to try and get to the puck before Tkachuk, but the Calgary forward pre-emptively threw his elbow up and into the jaw of the Kings' defenceman.

Tkachuk, son of former NHL forward Keith Tkachuk, will forfeit $10,278 in salary. The No. 5 pick in the 2016 draft has 13 goals and 33 assists for 46 points in 68 games in his rookie season.