Charlie McAvoy Opens Up On Return To Bruins Lineup From Injury

Charlie McAvoy returned to the Boston Bruins lineup on Thursday.

McAvoy had been out of the lineup since Nov. 15, when he took a slapshot to the face. The star defenseman ended up needing facial surgery. After nearly a month away, McAvoy returned to the lineup on Thursday on the road when the Bruins took on the Winnipeg Jets.

In his return, McAvoy logged 24:16 of ice time and recorded an assist in the Bruins’ 6-3 win. Following the game, McAvoy said it was a joy to be back on the ice.

“A lot of fun. The guys have been playing great hockey,” McAvoy said on Thursday, as seen on NESN’s postgame show. “It is always tough to sit out, especially when they’re looking like they’re having a lot of fun and playing really good.

“It’s a joy to be back, playing with this group. We had a great game tonight. That’s a big road win.”

McAvoy played on the Bruins’ top-pairing alongside Nikita Zadorov in his return and fit right in.

The star defenseman helped Boston extend its win streak to four, as the Bruins are now 7-3-0 in their last 10 games.

“At the end of the day, our structure keeps us safe,” Bruins head coach Marco Sturm said. “It is protecting us from stuff like that – injuries, you name it.

“Our third period, it’s been our best period as of late. But because we do all the work, we grind teams out in the first 40 minutes. I feel like we have another gear in the third period, because our skill guys take over.”

Boston will conclude its three-game road trip on Sunday against the Minnesota Wild.