Sabres defenseman Connor Clifton has been suspended two games for his hit on Nico Hischier.

NEWARK, N.J. — When speaking with reporters, Buffalo Sabres' defenseman Connor Clifton expressed concern over New Jersey Devils Nico Hischier's well-being after illegal check to the head.

According to Lance Lysowski of The Buffalo News, Clifton did not intend to make contact with the head.

"First and foremost, I hope he's OK," Clifton told Buffalo reporters. "Obviously, I got kicked out of the game; I watched it right after. I was glad to see him come back."

After the hit, Hischier returned and played a couple of shifts in the second period but did not play in the third period as a precaution, according to Devils head coach Lindy Ruff.

The Buffalo blueliner has no prior history and has never been fined or suspended in his 240-game NHL career.

"I've always tried to play hard and the right way," he continued. "I think I've proven that. Almost 300 games with zero incidents and zero fines. Yeah, I miss-timed a hit, as simple as that. Obviously, there was head contact, which I didn't intend to do. It's a fast game. I watched it 100 times. Obviously, I wish I took a different approach. I kind of thought he was going to catch it and carry it in."

While addressing the media in Buffalo, Clifton explained what he thought the play would turn into and what he was projecting Hischier to do.

"I think he's going to catch it and skate with it, I'm gonna throw a hit and obviously hit him when he was tilted," Clifton said. "He didn't get his shoulder around, and I just brushed his inside shoulder and hit him in the head. So, I mean, it's the kind of hit you want out of the game. Obviously, player safety, it was a good call, and I gave my opinion, exactly what I'm giving now, and how I felt about it. And regardless of what he did, I guess, as a hitter, it's your responsibility to throw the safe hit. Unfortunately, I didn't do that."

After his team's practice on Oct. 28, Ruff confirmed that Hischier would not be available for the team's Sunday game versus the Minnesota Wild and did not offer a timetable for when his captain would return.