Bruins’ Charlie McAvoy Receives 4-Game Suspension for Illegal Hit on Panthers' Ekman-Larsson

McAvoy's suspension comes after a match penalty in the third period of the Bruins' overtime win against the Panthers, with the NHL Department of Player Safety determining the check to Ekman-Larsson's head was avoidable; this marks McAvoy's second NHL suspension for a headshot.

Charlie McAvoy, Boston Bruins defenseman, has been handed a 4-game suspension by the NHL for an illegal check to the head of Florida Panthers' Oliver Ekman-Larsson, as judged to have been avoidable
McAvoy's match penalty came in at 9 minutes and 24 seconds of the third period of the Bruins' recent overtime win against the Panthers
The hit on Ekman-Larsson is not McAvoy’s first offense; he was suspended for an illegal check to the head of Columbus Blue Jackets forward Josh Anderson in May 2019, resulting in a missed playoff game
McAvoy's suspension also has financial implications, costing him a forfeiture of $197,916.68 in salary under the terms of the NHL's collective bargaining agreement
Because of his suspension, McAvoy won't be eligible to return until the Bruins' game on Nov. 11 against the Montreal Canadiens, meaning he will miss games against the Toronto Maple Leafs, Detroit Red Wings, Dallas Stars, and New York Islanders