The Bruins have been scorching hot to start the season as they have jumped out to an 11-2-0 record, which is tied for best in the NHL with the Bruce Cassidy-led Vegas Golden Knights. The Bruins were able to accomplish this feat short a couple of players to begin the season. The last player on the list to return is Bruins’ top defensemen Charlie McAvoy who has been rehabbing from offseason shoulder surgery. McAvoy was given a return timetable of around thanksgiving day (November 24th).
Like Matt Grzelcyk and Brad Marchand, McAvoy is ahead of schedule as he is expected to return to game action any day, as he’s been a full participant in team practices for a couple of weeks now. McAvoy traveled with the team for their recent road trip but wasn’t able to check off all the boxes to get into the lineup.
As the Bruins held a very optional skate on Tuesday morning, head coach Jim Montgomery was asked about McAvoy’s upcoming availability. As per Steve Conroy of The Boston Herald:
Asked there’s a chance for McAvoy on Thursday, Montgomery said he’s checked more boxes but not all of them. Whether he can check the remaining case ones by Thursday is anyone’s guess.
While it isn’t a yes he will be back for Thursday night’s matchup against the Calgary Flames, he still hasn’t been ruled out, leaving the door open for his season debut. The Bruins have been struggling to stay healthy on defense as they are currently without Derek Forbort, who is dealing with a broken finger. The return of McAvoy will be a significant plus for a team that’s firing on all cylinders at the moment.
McAvoy brings shutdown defense and above-average offense to the blueline as he is the quarterback of the first power play unit. With the switch to a more offensive-minded defensive scheme under head coach Jim Montgomery, McAvoy should thrive as this scheme was built for him. Don’t be surprised to see McAvoy finish the season with ten-plus goals and 50-plus points even after missing 13 games so far.
The return of their defensive leader also gives the Bruins more balance in the top four as McAvoy will return to his role on the top pair, and Hampus Lindholm can slide to the second pair giving the Bruins two-star lead pairs, ensuring they have a top defenseman on the ice for the majority of the game.
Boston has seven more games before his expected return, which would be November 25th against the Carolina Hurricanes. Below is the Bruins’ schedule before then:
Thursday, November 10th: vs Calgary Flames
Saturday, November 12th @ Buffalo Sabres
Sunday, November 13th vs Vancouver Canucks
Thursday, November 17th vs Philadelphia Flyers
Saturday, November 19th vs Chicago Blackhawks
Monday, November 21st @ Tampa Bay Lightning
Wednesday, November 23rd @ Florida Panthers
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