Bruins defenseman Charlie McAvoy delivered a hit to the Panthers’ Oliver Ekman-Larsson that could land him in trouble with the NHL Department of Player Safety.
UPDATE: Charlie McAvoy has officially been suspended for four games. Read more about the punishment.
Just over two minutes after he’d scored the tying goal in the third period of the Bruins’ comeback win, McAvoy was assessed a match penalty for an illegal hit to the head of Ekman-Larsson. The match penalty meant a five-minute major and an ejection from the game for McAvoy.
According to NHL rules, a match penalty is called when officials determine that the offending player “deliberately” injured or attempted to injure another player.
Here’s a look at the hit in real time, and a slow-motion replay:
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – OCTOBER 30: Charlie McAvoy #73 of the Boston Bruins commits an illegal check to the head against Oliver Ekman-Larsson #91 of the Florida Panthers during the third period at TD Garden on October 30, 2023 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
The only argument one could have about this hit was whether it deserved to be called a match penalty. It’s unclear if there was really any malicious intent on the part of McAvoy, as far as targeting the head. But it’s certainly a reckless play and a blindside hit, the kind that NHL Player Safety is always working to eradicate. Not to mention, a bad penalty to commit at that stage of the game.
So, it would not be surprising if McAvoy ended up being hit with a suspension. Hard to believe he’ll get away with running his shoulder through a guy’s face, regardless of intent.
On the bright side, McAvoy scored the game-tying goal en route to a 3-2 overtime win over the Panthers. The Bruins are now 8-0-1 on the season. But it sounds like they may have to play a few without their top defenseman, just as he was heating up for them.
