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Boston Bruins

Boston Bruins

Nov 30, 2023; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Bruins center Pavel Zacha (18) celebrates his goal with center Charlie Coyle (13) and defenseman Charlie McAvoy (73) during the third period against the San Jose Sharks at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports

An off day shuffle from New Jersey to Long Island following Wednesday’s overtime loss to the Devils came with some roster maneuvering from Bruins general manager Don Sweeney.

The day included four transactions in total, with the biggest of the two featuring moves to the injured reserve for both center Pavel Zacha and defenseman Charlie McAvoy.

  • It’s worth noting that McAvoy and Zacha are being moved to the regular injured reserve, not the long-term injured reserve, meaning that they do not have to miss 10 games and 24 days of the season before they’re eligible to return to the Boston lineup.

  • Dec 7, 2023; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Bruins defenseman Charlie McAvoy (73) tries to gain control of the puck ahead of Buffalo Sabres left wing Eric Robinson (50) during the second period at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
    Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports

    Dec 7, 2023; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Bruins defenseman Charlie McAvoy (73) tries to gain control of the puck ahead of Sabres left wing Eric Robinson (50) during the second period at TD Garden. (Bob DeChiara/USA TODAY Sports)

    For the 25-year-old McAvoy, Wednesday night in Newark marked the do-it-all defenseman’s second straight absence with an upper-body injury.

    McAvoy was injured in the third period of last Thursday’s loss to the Sabres when a reverse hit from Buffalo’s JJ Peterka left McAvoy down and looking a bit woozy.

    Speaking after that game, Bruins head coach Jim Montgomery said that he figured McAvoy would be ‘fine’ moving forward. And though they ruled out a concussion the next day, McAvoy did not play in last Saturday’s game against the Coyotes, and was considered ‘hopeful’ for Wednesday ahead of the team’s departure for Jersey.

    It’s all a little bit concerning, of course, but again, with this being a regular injured reserve move versus a long-term injured reserve move, it feels like the Bruins and McAvoy are still in ‘day-to-day’ territory.

    McAvoy has put up three goals and 17 points, along with 27 hits and 48 blocks, in 21 games this year.

  • TAMPA, FLORIDA - NOVEMBER 20: Pavel Zacha #18 of the Boston Bruins celebrates a goal in the first period during a game against the Tampa Bay Lightning at Amalie Arena on November 20, 2023 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
    Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images

    TAMPA, FLORIDA – NOVEMBER 20: Pavel Zacha celebrates a goal in the first period during a game against the Tampa Bay Lightning at Amalie Arena on November 20, 2023 in Tampa, Florida. (Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)

    Zacha, meanwhile, is moving to the injured reserve after missing Wednesday’s showdown with his former club, and after leaving last Saturday’s win against the Coyotes in the first period of play.

    Boston’s top left-shooting center, Zacha has scored eight goals and totaled 19 points through 26 games this season, and has been the preferred center for B’s superstar David Pastrnak.

    With Zacha out, Morgan Geekie has moved into a top-six role for the club.

  • Sep 24, 2023; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Bruins center Patrick Brown (38) skates the New York Rangers during the first period at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports

    Sep 24, 2023; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Bruins center Patrick Brown (38) skates the New York Rangers during the first period at TD Garden. (Eric Canha/USA TODAY Sports)

    And with Zacha out, the Bruins have officially recalled forward Patrick Brown from Providence.

    Sent down to Providence in late November, the 31-year-old Brown has appeared in six games for AHL Providence this month prior to his recall, and has recorded one goal and two points for the Baby B’s.

    Brown, who began the year as Boston’s 13th forward, has appeared in eight games with the Bruins this season. The former Boston College Eagle has recorded one assist, 14 hits, and has averaged 9:03 of time on ice over that eight-game NHL run with the Black and Gold this season.

    Brown also gives the Bruins two extra forward options in the press box, as the team also recalled the versatile Jesper Boqvist from Providence ahead of their travel to New Jersey. Boqvist was the team’s healthy scratch for that showdown with the Devils.

  • Sep 24, 2023; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Bruins defenseman Parker Wotherspoon (29) waits for play to begin against the New York Rangers during the second period at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports

    Sep 24, 2023; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Bruins defenseman Parker Wotherspoon (29) waits for play to begin against the New York Rangers during the second period at TD Garden. (Eric Canha/USA TODAY Sports)

    On the backend, McAvoy’s move to the IR has opened the door for a recall for Parker Wotherspoon.

    Wotherspoon appeared in three games for Boston last month, and tallied one assist, along with four hits and six blocked shots, over that limited run with Montgomery’s squad.

    The 6-foot-1 left shot has recorded one goal and five points in 19 games with Providence this season.

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