Overview
- Coach Marco Sturm said McAvoy underwent successful facial surgery, is recovering at home, and has no timetable to return after being kept off the West Coast trip.
- The defenseman was struck in the face by a Noah Dobson slap shot on Nov. 15 in Montreal and left the game bloodied before missing subsequent contests.
- Boston has reworked its blue line, elevating Jonathan Aspirot alongside Nikita Zadorov, pairing Hampus Lindholm with Henri Jokiharju, and Mason Lohrei with Andrew Peeke, while recalling Michael Callahan from Providence.
- McAvoy had 14 assists in 19 games and led the Bruins in average ice time at roughly 23:46, anchoring both power-play and penalty-kill units before the injury.
- The Bruins are also without Elias Lindholm, Viktor Arvidsson and Casey Mittelstadt, and McAvoy’s recovery will be monitored for its potential impact on his previously announced spot with Team USA for the 2026 Olympics.