The Boston Bruins will be without star defenseman Charlie McAvoy for a few games as he has been suspended for a dangerous check to the head of Oliver Ekman-Larsson.
NHL Player Safety got it right with Bruins’ Charlie McAvoy suspension
During the third period of the Bruins first rematch with the Florida Panthers on Monday night, McAvoy caught Ekman-Larsson up high midway through the third period. After the hit, McAvoy was ejected from the game, but NHL Player Safety had to step in as well.
NHL Player Safety announced on Tuesday that McAvoy has been suspended for four games for an illegal check to the head. Additionally he will forfeit $197,916.68 of his salary.
With McAvoy out four games, that means he won’t be eligible to return until the Bruins matchup on Nov. 11 against the Montreal Canadiens.
Charlie McAvoy has been given a 5-minute match penalty for this hit on Oliver Ekman-Larsson. pic.twitter.com/el8lOEY8M3
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) October 31, 2023
McAvoy has been suspended once previously. His first encounter with NHL player safety came after another illegal check to the head during the Bruins playoff series with the Columbus Blue Jackets in May of 2019. McAvoy was suspended just one game for a high hit on Josh Anderson.
McAvoy was also fined for tripping in May of 2022. With this being McAvoy’s second suspension for a high hit, he needs to be careful not to have any future infractions.
The Bruins are 8-0-1 on the season, but will have a tough time without McAvoy. The team also lost Matt Grzelcyk during their matchup with the Panthers as he left with an upper-body injury. Now, the Bruins will head into November missing two of their top defensemen.
There is a good chance Boston will have to call up a few young defenseman to try and fill the holes on their blue line. With their next four games being against Toronto, Detroit, Dallas and the New York Islanders, this is definitely going to be a trying week for the Bruins.