Charlie McAvoy Out At Least Four Weeks With Left MCL Sprain
Charlie McAvoy will miss at least four weeks with a left MCL sprain, and then be re-evaluated at that point. Bruins general manager Don Sweeney announced the injury on Tuesday.
McAvoy suffered the injury just 37 seconds into the first period of Saturday’s win over the Canadiens. He appeared to sustain the MCL sprain when he crashed into the boards prior to a trip by the Habs’ Brendan Gallagher.
The term “re-evaluated” implies that McAvoy may be out longer than the four-week timetable. He and the Bruins have about five weeks before the start of the Stanley Cup Playoffs on April 11.
Hopefully for the Bruins’ sake, the injury is closer to a mild sprain than a severe one. Having to play the start of the playoffs without their dynamic young defenseman would certainly change the equation for their hopes of escaping the opening round, where they will likely face the Toronto Maple Leafs.
The Plan Moving Forward
Charlie McAvoy reacts after scoring the game-winning goal in overtime for the Boston Bruins against the Carolina Hurricanes at TD Garden on February 27, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)
McAvoy is second on the team behind only Zdeno Chara with 22:07 of ice time per game (including Saturday). Brandon Carlo will assume his previous spot on the first pairing with Chara in McAvoy’s absence. Trade acquisition Nick Holden will man the right side of the second pairing with Torey Krug, while Matt Grzelcyk and Kevan Miller will comprise the third pair.
You can at least be relieved that the injury is not as serious as a complete tear of his MCL or ACL, or a broken bone. Those would knock him out for the rest of the season, or at least a significant portion of the playoffs. But now, you have to just hope that his recovery goes perfectly and he can be cleared before the start of the playoffs.
— By Matt Dolloff, 985TheSportsHub.com
Matt Dolloff is a digital producer for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Have a news tip, question, or comment for Matt? Follow him on Twitter @mattdolloff or email him at matthew.dolloff@bbgi.com.
