While the good news for the Boston Bruins is that they were able to avoid elimination from the Stanley Cup Playoffs thanks to sniper David Pastrnak’s overtime game-winning goal in Game 5 of the series, the bad news is that they weren’t able to complete the series comeback.
The Sabres defeated the Bruins at TD Garden in Boston over the weekend in Game 6, officially bringing an end to their season. Zach Benson, Mattias Samuelson, Alex Tuch, and Josh Norris all scored for the Sabres, who are on their way to the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time since 2007 when they advanced to the Eastern Conference Final against the Ottawa Senators.
However, there was one shocking incident that took place in the waning moments of the game that could land top Bruins defenseman Charlie McAvoy a massive punishment for the start of next season from the NHL Department of Player Safety.
Boston Bruins Defenseman Charlie McAvoy Has Been Offered An In-Person Hearing By The NHL Department Of Player Safety
With 1:31 left in the third period of Game 6 and with his club already trailing 4-1, McAvoy was tripped in his own zone by Benson in the corner. However, McAvoy immediately rose to his skates and charged toward Benson and attempted to slash him with his stick baseball style.
McAvoy was slapped with five-minute major and automatic game misconduct, while Benson received a two-minute minor.
Even though Boston’s season is now over and he can’t be suspended for any more games for several months, McAvoy could very well start next season watching from the press box.
McAvoy has been offered an in-person hearing by the NHL Department of Player Safety, which is reserved for major offenses and could result in a suspension of no less than six games to begin next season for the top Bruins defender.
Despite the stunning actions, Sabres head coach Lindy Ruff said that while McAvoy went too far, it was likely due to “raw emotion” rather than any serious ill intent.
“I’m just going to say [it was] raw emotion,” Ruff said of McAvoy. “Charlie’s a hell of a player. Cares about winning. Anybody would want Charlie on his team. Probably went a little too far though.”
This season with the Bruins, McAvoy registered 11 goals with 50 assists in 69 games played, along with 62 total penalty minutes. He also led all Bruins defensemen in ice time with an average of 24:23 per game.
Charlie McAvoy Boston’s Top Defenseman
Selected in the first round (14th overall) of the 2016 NHL Draft by the Bruins, McAvoy has developed into their current top defenseman, and helped them reach the Stanley Cup Final in 2019 in just his second season.
McAvoy, who helped Team USA win the gold medal for the first time since 1980 with a historic gold medal earlier this winter, signed an eight-year, $76 million contract with a salary cap hit of $9.5 million per year in 2021; he’s under contract with the Bruins until 2030.
So far in his NHL career, McAvoy has 71 goals and 290 assists in 573 games, along with 491 penalty minutes.
Bruins’ Charlie McAvoy Faces Major Punishment After Shocking Game 6 Actions