“I think he just had a bit of a scare with a burner or stinger of some sort.”
With a 5-2 victory over the Devils on Saturday, the Bruins skated off the TD Garden rink. But given the spectacle that had transpired with Boston’s best defenseman only moments before, it appeared to be a hollow triumph.
Charlie McAvoy appeared to have suffered a significant injury in the final minutes of the third period when he collided with goalie Linus Ullmark while attempting to thwart a Devils rush opportunity.
McAvoy stayed on the ice for a while, giving his leg preference, and then, with the assistance of the team’s medical personnel, he gradually made his way down the tunnel.
Even though the injury looked serious at first, Jim Montgomery had some positive news regarding McAvoy’s prognosis a short while later.
Yes, McAvoy is alright, Montgomery stated. “I believe he was just slightly alarmed by a burner or stinger of some kind.” He’s out and about; I have no idea what it was. He is currently content. Thus, everything is well.
With McAvoy’s ability to play a major role and lead the team’s top power play unit, the Bruins would have suffered greatly from any prolonged absence from the blueliner. McAvoy is 26 years old.
With Derek Forbort still sidelined by a persistent lower-body injury and placed on long-term injured reserve, Boston is already without another starting defenseman.
In the event that more injuries occur, the Bruins do have some depth on the blue line. On Saturday, Boston’s third defensive pairing—which now consists of Parker Wotherspoon as the backup defenseman—performed admirably thanks to two goals from Kevin Shattenkirk and one assist from Matt Grzelcyk. Ian Mitchell, who is presently in Providence, is an additional choice.
However, the Boston schedule is expected to pick up now that the holiday break is over, so the Bruins might find it difficult to bench McAvoy for an extended period of time.