Bruins’ Charlie McAvoy suspended 4 video games for prime hit on Oliver Ekman-Larsson

Ekman-Larsson finally made his method off the ice and didn’t return, whereas McAvoy was assessed a match penalty and was ejected from Monday’s recreation.

This marks the second time that McAvoy has been suspended in his NHL profession. The 25-year-old defenseman was handed a one-game suspension through the 2019 Stanley Cup Playoffs for a success on then-Columbus ahead Josh Anderson within the second spherical.

McAvoy’s four-game absence comes as a tricky time for the Bruins, past their daunting upcoming schedule towards the Maple Leafs and Crimson Wings.

Boston will already be with out one other top-four defenseman in Matt Grzelcyk, who is predicted to overlook “a few weeks” as a result of an upper-body damage sustained within the first interval of Monday’s recreation. 

Following Tuesday’s non-compulsory skate, Jim Montgomery acknowledged that Boston doubtless must name up a number of defensemen in an effort to account for each Grzelcyk and McAvoy’s absences. 

Seasoned AHLers with NHL expertise like Ian Mitchell, Jakub Zboril and Parker Wotherspoon would make sense as potential call-up choices for Boston forward of Wednesday’s follow.

However Boston might additionally take a protracted have a look at blue-chip prospect Mason Lohrei, who was one of many staff’s ultimate roster cuts earlier than the beginning of the common season.

“He’s undoubtedly one of many gamers being thought of,” Montgomery stated of Lohrei on Tuesday.

Though Lohrei was despatched all the way down to the AHL ranks in an effort to log heavier minutes (particularly on the ability play), these reps is likely to be up for grabs up within the NHL ranks — particularly with Grzelcyk slated to be on the mend for the following few weeks.

Lohrei has performed in seven complete video games with the Windfall Bruins this season, recording 4 assists over that stretch.

“Good, I feel he had a very good weekend,” Montgomery stated of Lohrei’s play down in Windfall. “We’re excited concerning the participant due to what he did in camp.”