During Sunday night's game, Matthew Tkachuk landed a dirty elbow to the face of Drew Doughty.
Tkachuck hit on Doughty: https://t.co/6pkPzKiVc4#LAKings #LAKvsCGY pic.twitter.com/1YXtHhMdgx
— Eric (@Kingsgifs) March 20, 2017
While Tkachuk got away with it in the game, the league didn't let him off the hook for his actions as they rightfully suspended him.
The Department of Player Safety decided Tkachuk's elbow warranted a two-game suspension, which will keep him out of the lineup tonight in Washington and Thursday night in Nashville.
Two games isn't a lot in the grand scheme of things but losing Tkachuk, even for a short period of time, will sting.
Tkachuk is just one point behind Johnny Gaudreau for the team lead in 5v5 points and is No. 1 on the roster in 5v5 points per 60 averaging 2.26, which puts him 22nd among 211 eligible forwards (minimum 750 minutes) in that regard.
The Flames have also fared significantly worse this season without Tkachuk on the ice.
The Flames are going to miss Tkachuk over the next couple games. pic.twitter.com/sELZvJZ6oM
— Todd Cordell (@ToddCordell) March 21, 2017
Essentially, the Flames are an elite team with Tkachuk on the ice -- having Mikael Backlund and Michael Frolik along for the ride certainly helps -- and a (slightly) below average team without him.
A strong case can be made he's been the Flames' best player at 5v5 this season so his absence will certainly be felt, especially against two very good teams in Washington and Nashville.
Not having Tkachuk could very well cost the Flames a point or two, which may end up the difference between hosting a playoff series or starting off on the road.
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