Martin Havlat

Devils winger Martin Havlat suffered severe facial cuts late in the second period Thursday night in Washington. (Alex Brandon / AP)

(Alex Brandon)

WASHINGTON — Devils winger Martin Havlat suffered severe cuts to his nose and the area above his mouth, requiring a significant number of stitches and suggesting that the injury will keep him out of action for a longer period than hoped.

Havlat, who slammed face-first into referee Darcy Burchell when pushed towards the end boards by Washington's Jason Chimera late in the second period Thursday night, did not leave the visitors' dressing room in Verizon Center until an hour after the game ended.

By that time the entire team had left the area.

Havlat was eventually escorted by a Devils team official and the facial damage was extensive. Havlat was badly cut across the bridge of his nose, which likely is broken.

But the more worrisome cut was a long, deep gash below his nose that evidently went completely through the skin. It appeared that Havlat's visor may have caused the worst of the injury by slicing into his face just below his nose.

There was no official comment from the Devils and Havlat could not be expected to stop and talk.

Rich Chere may be reached at rchere@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @Ledger_NJDevils. Find NJ.com on Facebook.