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Charlie McAvoy Unflappable After Bruins’ Game 3 Loss: ‘We’ll Be Fine’

The rookie defenseman isn’t blinking in the face of adversity.

Apr 30, 2018, Tampa, FL, USA: Boston Bruins defenseman Charlie McAvoy during the third period in Game 2 of the second round of the 2018 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Amalie Arena. Tampa Bay Lightning defeated the Boston Bruins 4-2. (Photo Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports)

Apr 30, 2018, Tampa, FL, USA: Boston Bruins defenseman Charlie McAvoy during the third period in Game 2 of the second round of the 2018 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Amalie Arena. Tampa Bay Lightning defeated the Boston Bruins 4-2. (Photo Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports)

(Photo Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports)

By Matt Dolloff, 985TheSportsHub.com

Charlie McAvoy isn't blinking. The 20-year-old rookie carries himself with the confidence of a 10-year veteran, and it's the kind of presence the Bruins could sure use right now.

Faced with a 2-1 series deficit to the Tampa Bay Lightning and coming off perhaps their ugliest performance of the playoffs in Game 3, the Bruins desperately need to regroup in a hurry to have a chance at evening the series in Friday's Game 4. But McAvoy certainly sounds assured that they will do what they need to do to make that happen.

"We’ll be fine. We’re still a confident group in here, like always. We won a lot of hockey games this year, and there’s no reason we shouldn’t be able to win a couple more."

Apr 30, 2018, Tampa, FL, USA: Boston Bruins defenseman Charlie McAvoy during the third period in Game 2 of the second round of the 2018 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Amalie Arena. Tampa Bay Lightning defeated the Boston Bruins 4-2. (Photo Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports)(Photo Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports)

Apr 30, 2018, Tampa, FL, USA: Boston Bruins defenseman Charlie McAvoy during the third period in Game 2 of the second round of the 2018 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Amalie Arena. Tampa Bay Lightning defeated the Boston Bruins 4-2. (Photo Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports)


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McAvoy has averaged 24:27 of ice time in the series against the Lightning, including a whopping 27:09 in Game 3. After a down series in the first round against the Toronto Maple Leafs, he's looked more like the dynamic, assertive defenseman who popped off TV screens in his first NHL action during last year's playoff series against the Ottawa Senators.

They'll need more of the same from McAvoy moving forward, as well as the rest of the Bruins defense to pick up their game in what's been a struggle in the past two.

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.


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Matt, a North Andover, Massachusetts native, has been with The Sports Hub since 2010. Growing up the son of Boston University All-American and Melrose High School hall-of-fame hockey player Steve Dolloff, sports was always a part of his life. After attending Northeastern University, Matt focused his love of sports on writing, extensively writing about all four major Boston teams. He also is a co-host of the Sports Hub Underground podcast and is a regular on-air contributor on the Sports Hub. Matt writes about all New England sports from Patriots football to Boston Celtics and Boston Bruins.