For all of those clutching the pearls and worrying about "good hits being taken out of hockey," we give you Zac Rinaldo of the Philadelphia Flyers on Los Angeles Kings defenseman Drew Doughty just 20 seconds into their game on Saturday night:
Clean as it was, Rinaldo's check did some damage: Doughty skated another 1 minute and 10 seconds in the first period and then didn't return to the game.
The immediate concern was a concussion, as Doughty suffered one last November and was placed on injured reserve. But according to Helene Elliott of the LA Times, the focus isn't on Doughty's noggin:
Kings defenseman Drew Doughty is expected to be out at least seven to 10 days after suffering an undisclosed upper-body injury Saturday, though General Manager Dean Lombardi said via email that the injury was not to the defenseman's head.
… While sitting on the bench Doughty appeared to be favoring his shoulder. Lombardi would not say if that was where Doughty was injured but specified that the prized defenseman did not suffer a head injury.
Very good news considering the $56 million investment the Kings made in Doughty recently. The Kings' next game is Tuesday, Oct. 18 at home against the St. Louis Blues. According to that timeline from Lombardi, Doughty could be back for either of the Kings' home games on Oct. 22 (Stars) or Oct. 25 (Devils).