Boston Bruins head coach Bruce Cassidy announced Monday that rookie defenseman Charlie McAvoy won’t play Tuesday night against the Detroit Red Wings at TD Garden.
That’s about all the information Cassidy could provide about McAvoy’s status, though, as the 20-year-old is scheduled to be reevaluated later Monday afternoon, at which point the team hopes to learn more information about his status moving forward.
Bruce Cassidy on Charlie McAvoy: “Nothing new to report, he’ll be evaluated this afternoon. Will not play tomorrow.” #NHLBruins
— Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) March 5, 2018
McAvoy suffered a lower body injury just 37 seconds into Saturday’s game against the Montreal Canadiens. Boston played with just five defensemen the rest of the way, highlighting a resilient effort by the Bruins, who eventually won 2-1 in overtime on a Brad Marchand goal.
The Bruins played without McAvoy for a stretch earlier this season as he dealt with a heart condition, so this isn’t uncharted waters for Boston. He’s still one of the team’s best puck-moving defensemen, though, so it’ll be a huge blow along the blue line if he’s forced to miss extended time.
McAvoy was one of three Bruins players absent from practice Monday, joining center Patrice Bergeron and goaltender Tuukka Rask.
Missing from practice: Patrice Bergeron, Charlie McAvoy, and Tuukka Rask. #NHLBruins
— Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) March 5, 2018
Cassidy on Tuukka Rask (lower-body): "Nursing a minor injury…we'll keep an eye on that one. Not having skated now for three days, doesn't look like he'll be able to go tomorrow…probably wants to get in a little work before he goes back in the net."
— Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) March 5, 2018
Rask’s injury doesn’t sound serious, whereas Bergeron is recovering from a fractured right foot. The Bruins announced last Tuesday that Bergeron would be re-evaluated in two weeks.
