Isles' Lee ejected for knee-on-knee hit on Devils' Hischier

New York Islanders captain Anders Lee was tossed from Sunday's 4-0 loss to the New Jersey Devils for going knee-on-knee with opposing captain Nico Hischier.

Lee initiated the collision with just over three minutes left in the second period.

Timo Meier came to his teammate's defense, taking Lee on in retaliation.

Lee got a five-minute major for kneeing and a game misconduct, plus a fighting major. Meier got five for fighting, plus two and 10 (the latter being a misconduct) for instigating.

Hischier left the game and didn't return for the rest of the second period, but he did emerge for the start of the third and ultimately played eight shifts in the final frame.

Lee didn't talk to reporters postgame, according to the New York Post's Ethan Sears.

Meier didn't mince words when asked about the incident.

"Pretty clear. Didn't like the hit," the forward said, according to team reporter Amanda Stein. "(It was a) dirty hit, so I kind of stepped in and let him know."

Hischier missed 11 games in October and November after Buffalo Sabres defenseman Connor Clifton hit him in the head. The blue-liner was suspended for two contests.