The Toronto Maple Leafs will be down a player against the Tampa Bay Lightning for Game 2 of their first-round matchup in the NHL Playoffs. The NHL Department of Player Safety has decided to suspend Kyle Clifford as a result of his dirty hit on Tampa Bay center Ross Colton in the first period during Game 1, according to ESPN.

Clifford was ejected from the game as a result of the hit on Colton, which occurred on the Leafs' forward's second shift of the game. He played a total of 49 seconds before being ejected, and will now be forced to miss Game 2. Clifford had never been suspended throughout his 12 years in the league prior to this incident.

The NHL Department of Safety issued a statement in which it determined that Colton was defenseless when hit by Clifford.

“After Colton releases the puck, Clifford approaches from behind, and having seen nothing but Colton's numbers for some time, delivers a forceful check to the defenseless Colton, driving him dangerously into the boards,” the Department of Safety said in a video review, via ESPN. “It is important to note this is not a case where a sudden or unexpected movement by Colton prior to contact changes a legal check into an illegal one. While we have heard an argument that Clifford does make some attempt to deliver this contact legally, this remains a forceful hit to a defenseless player who is no longer in possession of the puck.”

The Maple Leafs were able to carry on without Clifford and earn a 5-0 win over the Lightning in Game 1. They'll look to defend their home ice once more on Wednesday night without Clifford available, though his absence is hardly a huge loss for Toronto.