NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- His head pounding and the world around him spinning almost 24 hours later, Blue Jackets winger Derek Dorsett was not in a forgiving mood last night as he prepared to fly home to Columbus and miss the remaining four games of the longest road trip of the season.

The first game he'll miss is at 8 tonight, when the Blue Jackets play archrival Nashville in the Sommet Center.

Dorsett's face was driven into the glass in the second period of a 4-1 win over the Dallas Stars on Thursday. His assailant, Stars forward James Neal, was given a two-game suspension by the NHL yesterday, a punishment that didn't sit well with Dorsett.

"I'd say it's pretty low, but that's coming from me," Dorsett said. "I know (Neal) knew what he was doing. I know the type of player he is. I've played against him in junior hockey and in the Memorial Cup. I know what kind of person he is, and I know what his intention was.

"He can say he's sorry I was hurt. He can say he was going too fast to stop. But there was no attempt to slow down. If anything, he sped up and drove right through the hit, his elbow into the back of my head. He can say whatever he wants, but that's a really cheap hit."

Dorsett had not yet been tested yesterday, but Blue Jackets general manager Scott Howson said Dorsett is almost certain to have at least a mild concussion.

The hit occurred at 6:59 of the second period, when Dorsett and Blue Jackets defenseman Marc Methot were battling Stars forward Loui Eriksson for the puck in the Blue Jackets' end of the ice.

Neal joined the crowd at high speed, drilling Dorsett's head into the glass and sending him to the ice in a horrific scene.

Dorsett initially landed on all fours, then tried to twist around and ended up falling backward, his eyes rolling back in his head.

"I didn't have any intent to injure him, and I hope he's OK," Neal told The Dallas Morning News.

Neal was assessed a five-minute major for boarding and a game misconduct. The Blue Jackets scored twice on the ensuing power play to take a 4-0 lead.

Dorsett, who said he momentarily blacked out, found it difficult to watch the replay.

"I remember getting hit," he said. "I didn't remember who or how they hit me, but as soon as I came to, I knew it was James Neal. I knew he was out on the ice with me, and I know what kind of player he is.

"Watching it on tape later was pretty rough. I didn't know I tried getting up and did the funky chicken, or whatever you want to call it. It scares me a bit, but I could be in much worse shape than I am right now."

Howson would not comment on Neal's suspension, but many of the Blue Jackets players and coaches thought it was too lenient, that Neal should miss at least as much time as Dorsett will miss.

"All I care about is how long Dorse is going to miss," Blue Jackets coach Ken Hitchcock said. "I just want to get him back in the lineup. He's a big-time player on our team."

Neal was also responsible for a concussion suffered this season by Edmonton Oilers defenseman Steve Staios, who missed one month. Neal was not suspended for that hit.

The Blue Jackets and Stars next meet on Dec. 23 in Dallas.

Neal's hit "is something I'll always remember," Dorsett said. "There's that saying you take numbers and save them for a later date. I will remember."

Slap shots

After initially planning to start goaltender Mathieu Garon tonight vs. the Predators, Hitchcock has changed his mind. Steve Mason will get the nod after a strong outing in Dallas on Thursday: He stopped 25 of 26 shots. Center Sammy Pahlsson hopes to return tonight after a three-game absence because of an elbow infection and back spasms.

aportzline@dispatch.com