Umberger tied the two together last night in a courageous but ultimately unsatisfying performance. He returned from a crushing second-period hip check courtesy of Detroit defenseman Brad Stuart to score the Jackets' only goal on the power play in a 4-1 loss in Nationwide Arena.

"I couldn't believe he was even out there," Red Wings coach Mike Babcock said of Umberger. "My God, he got hit. I haven't seen anything like that in a long, long time."

Although the Jackets appear destined for playoff elimination, down three games to none in the first-round series, Umberger's postseason legacy continues to grow.

He has both Jackets playoff goals and has 12 goals and five assists in his past 19 postseason games, dating to last season with the Philadelphia Flyers.

"I thought down the stretch, he was our best player," Jackets goaltender Steve Mason said. "He has shown what kind of character he's made of."

Few could believe that Umberger missed only two shifts after getting leveled by Stuart just as he received the puck along the boards in the defensive zone with 7:10 left in the second period. Umberger lay on the ice momentarily before instinctively reaching for his helmet and stick. He was unsteady and had to be helped from the ice.

Umberger said he was slightly dazed and had the wind knocked from him.

"I saw (Stuart) for a brief second before I got (the puck)," he said. "I was trying to gain speed as the puck came along the boards. It was a good hit. It's part of the game and it happens."

Three years ago today, Umberger received a vicious open-ice hit from defenseman Brian Campbell during a Philadelphia-Buffalo playoff game. He suffered a concussion but returned later in the series to score a game-winning goal.

"I'm past that," Umberger said. "You can't play with fear out there. When you play with fear that's when you get hurt. There was never a question I was coming back in the game. I was fine."

In his first season as a Blue Jacket, Umberger has become the team's conscience, the player who never bows regardless of the circumstance.

On Jan. 21, Umberger was rammed into the glass by Calgary's Dion Phaneuf, the force of the blow knocked his helmet about 15 feet in the air. He returned to score the second of his two goals.

"R.J. always comes back," general manager Scott Howson said. "It shows his commitment level and mental toughness."

He was rewarded last night with the Jackets' only goal at 16:07 of the third, backhanding a deflected point shot past Red Wings goalie Chris Osgood.

treed@dispatch.com