Matt Martin suspended one game for knee-on-knee hit

New York Islanders forward Matt Martin was suspended for one game Wednesday after injuring Dallas Stars defenseman Trevor Daley with what the league called a reckless hit.

Martin was ejected less than two minutes into Tuesday's game when he caught Daley with a knee-on-knee hit.

The NHL's Patrick Burke noted that Martin had lost his balance and angle of approach as he slowed down and tried to check Daley.

"Not wanting to miss the check completely, Martin leans to ensure contact is made with Daley," Burke said. "Unable to make a full body check, Martin's leg catches Daley with momentum."

He said that Martin didn't lead with his knee, but the hit was reckless nonetheless. Daley left the game and didn't return.

"It's probably going to be a couple weeks, could be longer, but we'll know more (on Thursday)," coach Lindy Ruff told reporters on Wednesday.

Martin, who will forfeit $5,376.34 in pay, had been suspended twice previously: four games in 2011 for a punch from behind and in 2010 for an illegal check to the head.

Daley is the second Stars player in less than a month to suffer a knee injury on an illegal hit.

No. 1 center Tyler Seguin remains out after a Feb. 13 low hit from Florida Panthers defenseman Dmitry Kulikov, who has served a four-game suspension for clipping.

The Panthers and Stars meet on Thursday for the first time since that incident.