Like most, Ryan Dzingel became anxious as he lay on the table.

The game he'd exited after being struck in the side of the head by an errant Erik Karlsson shot was still hanging in the balance, and the seconds were ticking away while the Ottawa Senators medical team was working to sew up the wounds that had opened up around his ear.

His impatience now overriding the pain being dulled by the freezing agent, Dzingel had to ask the question. Though he probably wished he hadn't.

"I don't think I knew how serious it was until Dr. Chow said a couple things," Dzingel told reporters Friday as he offered a recount of the events. "(I was like), 'how much longer is this going to be.' He laughed. 'You have five cuts in your ear. Your ear looks like mashed potato.' So then I kind of figured out that it was serious."

Dzingel was thankful for the job, saying that he owes Chow a few bottles of wine. He would, however, offer one critique.

"I think we need to teach him how to lie."

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