Penguin tries to turn away from a hit, gets crushed as a result.

There needs to be more emphasis put on players turning away from body checks in the National Hockey League and this hit is a perfect example of why you should be heavily criticized, and perhaps even penalized for doing so. 

On Friday night Washington Capitals forward Devante Smith-Pelly lined up Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Brian Dumoulin for what looked like a textbook check along the boards, but Dumoulin's desire to avoid contact resulted in an injury. 

Right as Smith-Pelly closed the gap for the hit Dumoulin drastically shifted his body position resulting in him going awkwardly into the boards before crashing to the ice in pain. The trainer came out to check on Dumoulin who would head to the bench but eventually retreated to the locker room to be evaluated by the team's medical staff. 

Smith-Pelly was not penalized on the play, and rightfully so, but the Penguins likely would have been much happier and much better off had Dumoulin adsorbed the hit. 

No official word yet on the nature of Dumoulin's injury but it sounds like it's either to his arm or shoulder area. 

[pub]