Doughty calls out Tkachuk: 'He's a pretty dirty player, that kid'

It's safe to say Drew Doughty isn't a huge fan of Calgary Flames rookie Matthew Tkachuk.

After being on the receiving end of a dirty and dangerous elbow to the head from Tkachuk on Sunday night in Calgary, the Los Angeles Kings defender was honest when talking about the 19-year-old and the play after the game.

"He's a pretty dirty player, that kid," Doughty said, according to LA Kings Insider's Jon Rosen. "To be a rookie and play like that is a little surprising. I don't know exactly what happened because I got hit in the head, but I thought he elbowed me. ... Whatever it was, it hurt pretty bad, and it's going to hurt for a bit."

Doughty was helped off the ice after the incident, which occurred late in the first period, but was back on the bench to start the second period. He ended up playing a Doughty-like 28:14.

It's not the first time Doughty and Tkachuk have battled this season.

"It's just that every game I've played against him basically, me and him get after it a little bit," Doughty added. "Obviously, partially that's my fault, too, because I like to get under people's skin, too. He's a young guy in the league, and I don't think he necessarily meant to hurt me or anything like that, but he did."

While Tkachuk wasn't penalized on the play, it's highly possible he'll be hearing from the NHL's Department of Player Safety in the coming days.