Overview
- Coach Marco Sturm said McAvoy had facial surgery, is recuperating at home in Boston, and has no timetable for return.
- McAvoy was struck in the face by a shot during the Nov. 15 game in Montreal and left the ice bleeding in the second period.
- Boston reshuffled its pairings, skating Nikita Zadorov with Jonathan Aspirot, Hampus Lindholm with Henri Jokiharju, and Mason Lohrei with Andrew Peeke.
- The injury strains a roster already missing forwards Elias Lindholm, Viktor Arvidsson, and Casey Mittelstadt, increasing pressure on depth players.
- McAvoy logged more than 23 minutes per game and had 14 assists in 19 outings this season, and he was an early Team USA Olympic selection in a group that has seen multiple injuries.