Despite being hit in the back of the helmet by a Mike Hoffman howitzer Saturday evening in Columbus, Ryan Dzingel figuratively dodged a bullet.

Dzingel has a “bad bruise”, according to Senators coach Guy Boucher, but not a concussion; and, though he missed practice Monday, Dzingel is listed as day-to-day and confirmed that his goal is to play in Thursday's game against the Oilers.

This likely allows the 26-year-old Dzingel the chance to add to his best NHL season to date, one that already features his first 20-goal campaign and a career-high 33 points. The injury diagnosis – as well as Dzingel’s play this season – are two rare bright spots during a dispiriting 2017-18 campaign in Ottawa.

“Obviously the season didn’t go as intended…not the best season we wanted,” Dzingel said recently.

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An understatement, for sure, considering the Sens were one-goal away from advancing to the Stanley Cup Final last spring. But, since avoiding arbitration last summer and signing what looks to be quite the team-friendly contract, Dzingel has been a real bright spot in Ottawa.

“It’s not just the goal scoring, that’s the evidence stuff, it’s other stuff where he’s done much better,” explained Boucher.

“He’s gotten much better at knowing where to be on the ice. He’s getting less breakaways, but he’s playing much better, a complete hockey game, a potential guy for the top lines.”

Since being inserted on a top line with Matt Duchene and Hoffman, the trio has compiled nine goals, 10 assists in six games, with Dzingel collecting five of those points (3 goals, 2 assists). All three linemates reached the 20-goal plateau last week during the Senators’ Florida swing.

It’s a big step up in offensive responsibility for the Ohio State product, who had only 17 goals over 111 games in his first two NHL seasons prior to his breakout this year, yet one he earned.

“I knew I could do it. I believed it, just had to go out and do it,” noted Dzingel. “I got a lot more opportunity this season, playing with talented guys. It’s nice to go out and produce.”

Dzingel, who makes $1.5 million this season, receives a bump up to $2.1 million in 2018-19. Should he continue to improve at the rate he did this season, Dzingel is in line for a nice payday down the road – though Senators GM Pierre Dorion has more pressing issues on his plate right now, ones that also have the attention of Dzingel.

“It will be interesting what we do this summer, who we bring in,” said Dzingel. “I think if we bring in the right guys around what we already have in this room, hopefully, it will be a pretty good group.”

Right now, Dzingel’s focus is on getting healthy, continuing his solid campaign and possibly earn the right to represent Team USA at the World Championships in Denmark.

For the team, it’s all about finishing strong after an embarrassing year. A 5-3-1 record, so far, in March is the Sens best since starting the season 5-2-5 in October.

“I think we’re building on the past couple of weeks and want to take it into next season, we still believe in the guys in the locker room,” offered Dzingel.

“You could either pack it in as a 30th-place team or play free, work hard and get better for next season. That’s what we’re trying to do, get better every day.”