Tkachuk: Criticism of Monahan, Gaudreau 'makes me sick'

After watching on from the press box as his team was eliminated from the postseason, Calgary Flames forward Matthew Tkachuk is coming to the defense of his star teammates.

"The thing that really frustrates me right now, especially with being out and watching the games and having nothing to do so being on my phone and just being in the bubble, everything is about hockey ... I couldn't believe some of the criticism that some guys on my team were getting for this," Tkachuk said, per Sportsnet. "Especially the criticism towards Johnny (Gaudreau) and Monny (Sean Monahan), it makes me sick. It really upsets me and pisses me off.

"Everyone was upset about them for offensive production. Well, they produced more offense than me. So put the blame on me. I didn't do nearly enough to help get this team over the top when I was in the lineup, and that's what hurts the most."

The Dallas Stars bounced the Flames in six games, marking the third time in four years that Calgary failed to advance past the first round.

Tkachuk, who was injured in Game 2, missed the team's final four contests. In six total games this postseason, the 22-year-old managed one goal and one assist.

Monahan and Gaudreau came under fire from fans and the media following the club's elimination. Monahan totaled two goals and six assists in 10 games, while Gaudreau scored four goals and added three helpers.

"It really upsets me to see some of the criticism to those guys, being unbelievable players and great players in this league, and even more important, great friends," Tkachuk continued. "But I think as leaders and as core players and in general, myself mainly, but our best players didn't do enough to get us over the top and into that next round and into a run. And that's frustrating."