Umberger hits Doughty into turnbuckle; police not involved

There were about three dozen shades of gray in the debate over Zdeno Chara's hit on Max Pacioretty, which left the Montreal Canadiens forward with a broken neck and a concussion. One of them was how commonplace a check to the "turnbuckle" is in hockey, and how Chara's check could have just been one that went awry.

Case in point: Columbus Blue Jackets forward R.J. Umberger sent Los Angeles Kings defenseman Drew Doughty's face into the stanchion during last night's 4-2 Kings victory.

Take a look:

It wasn't exactly the "same scenario," as Doughty's back made contact with the boards to slow his velocity into the turnbuckle. But within context of the Zdeno Chara hit, and with Doughty going off the ice, it was unsettling.

But Doughty was OK, taking nine shifts in the third period. From LA Kings Insider:

"I'm fine. Obviously I was back out there again, so I'm fine. I just got it right on the nose again. There was a little bit of blood, but nothing drastic. I didn't see the turnbuckle there. I kind of had my head down, making the play, and I ran right into it. But I'm fine, and he obviously didn't mean to do it. … I missed a couple shifts, just to come in here [the locker room] and make sure I was symptom-free, but everything was fine."

Indeed. No airlines threatening to pull their sponsorship. No calls to 9-1-1. No police investigations. Just, as they say, a hockey play.

Norah Jones Nicky Hilton Garcelle Beauvais Kristy Swanson Ali Campoverdi