Boston Bruins place defenseman Charlie McAvoy and forward Pavel Zacha on injured reserve

Boston Bruins general manager Don Sweeney announced Thursday that defenseman Charlie McAvoy and forward Pavel Zacha have both been placed on the injured reserve.

McAvoy left Thursday’s 3-1 loss against the Buffalo Sabres in the third period, while Zacha left Saturday’s 5-3 win against the Arizona Coyotes in the second period.

McAvoy has registered three goals and 14 assists for 17 points in 21 games, he ranks first among Bruins defenseman and sixth among Bruins skaters. The Long Beach, New York native was originally selected by Boston in the first round, No. 14 overall in the 2016 NHL Draft. In 2021, McAvoy signed an eight-year, $78,000,000 million contract extension with the Bruins, the contract holds an average annual value of $9,500,000 and runs through 2029-2030. In 410 career games with the Bruins, McAvoy has notched 44 goals and 203 assists for 247 points.

Zacha has notched eight goals and 11 assists for 19 points in 26 games this season which is good for fourth among Bruins skaters. The Brno, Czechia native set a career-high 57 points last season and added six assists in seven Stanley Cup Playoff contests. In January, Zacha signed a four-year, $19,000,000 million extension with the Bruins, the contract has a cap hit of $4,750,000.

Meanwhile, the Bruins have recalled forward Patrick Brown and defenseman Parker Wotherspoon from their American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate the Providence Bruins on an emergency basis.

Brown has played in eight games this season with the Bruins, recording one assist. The 31-year-old has appeared in 146 NHL games over parts of nine seasons collecting 25 points with the Carolina Hurricanes, Vegas Golden Knights, Philadelphia Flyers, Ottawa Senators and Bruins.

Wotherspoon has appeared in three games with Boston, recording one assist. The Surrey, British Columbia native had five points in 19 games with Providence.

The Bruins are set to face off against the New York Islanders on Friday.