BOSTON — The Boston Bruins’ defense took a devastating blow during the early going Saturday against the Montreal Canadiens.
Rookie defenseman Charlie McAvoy exited the game in the first period with what was described by the team as a lower body injury. He is not likely to return.
It is not totally clear whether the injury happened as a result of Brendan Gallagher’s stick catching McAvoy on the foot and tripping him, or if it was a non-contact injury. But after getting up and getting off the ice, the rookie went straight into the tunnel. McAvoy was unable to put weight on his left leg and fell to the ground once he reached the tunnel.
Defensive partner Zdeno Chara was skating with Brandon Carlo on the following shift.
