The Devils and Sabres will face each other one more time in Buffalo on March 29.
NEWARK, N.J. -- A mere eight games into the 2023-24 season, Buffalo Sabres' defenseman Connor Clifton took the wrong approach to a hit. The split-second decision would cost the 28-year-old more than money and games.
Almost one calendar month after Clifton was suspended two games for an illegal hit to the head of New Jersey Devils captain Nico Hischier, he returned to Prudential Center for the Sabres second meeting versus the Devils.
In the waning minutes of the first period, the defenseman needed to answer the bell and accept a challenge from Hischier's teammate, Brendan Smith, who had no issue defending his captain. Both players were handed two-minute roughing penalties.
After the game, reporters met with Clifton, who expected he would run into Smith during the game.
"Yeah, obviously. I don't think it's done yet with either, honestly," he said. "...It is what it is. We play them a couple more times, and it's just part of the game."
On March 29, the Devils will travel to Buffalo for the third and final meeting between the two teams, and Clifton agreed with reporters who suggested that Smith might try to get at him again.
"I think so. I would want the same thing," Clifton said. "Obviously, the hit, you know (Hischier) missed a lot of time. It's unfortunate. I served my time, but in the other room, it's not over with."
Hischier missed 11 straight games before returning to action on Saturday night versus the Sabres. From the bench, the 24-year-old was able to watch his teammate carefully pick his moment and go after the opposing player who caused his upper-body injury.