Bruins activate Charlie McAvoy off IR ahead of game against Jets
The Boston Bruins could be getting a big boost to their defensive unit, as their number one defenseman is a game-time decision to return to the lineup on Thursday night against the Winnipeg Jets.
Charlie McAvoy, who has been out since taking a puck to the jaw area in a game on November 15, was activated from injured reserve and re-joined the active roster earlier Thursday.
Charlie McAvoy is a game-time decision as the #NHLBruins visit Winnipeg in search of their fourth straight win. Catch up on all the day's pregame news in 60 seconds, pres. by @NewEnglandHonda ⤵️
McAvoy is about three weeks removed from having surgery to repair the damage he sustained from the injury that he suffered in Montreal.
Prior to his exit from the lineup, McAvoy was producing at an impressive clip offensively with 14 assists in his 19 appearances. The talented, physical right-handed defenseman was one of the six players that Team USA named to its roster for the Winter Olympics back in June, joining both Tkachuk brothers, Jack Eichel, Quinn Hughes and Auston Matthews.
McAvoy was a key part of the USA’s roster at February’s 4 Nations Face-Off event, but he could not complete the tournament after suffering a shoulder injury during one of the games. McAvoy was then forced to miss the remainder of the 2024-2025 NHL season after developing a staph infection in his shoulder that required immediate medical attention and surgery.
Both the Bruins and Team USA will now hope that McAvoy can avoid another freak injury and remain in the lineup for the rest of the year.
Boston currently occupies third place in the Atlantic Division standings with a record of 18-13-0. They’ve put together a 6-5-0 run without McAvoy to stay comfortably above .500 and maintain their positioning in a tightly-packed Eastern Conference.
After Thursday’s game, the Bruins have just one more stop on their current road trip on Sunday in Minnesota before they’ll return to TD Garden to host the Utah Mammoth next Tuesday.