The most recent update from The Athletic's Fluto Shinzawa indicates that Charlie McAvoy, a defenseman for the Boston Bruins, is currently considered day-to-day due to an upper-body injury. While specific details about the injury are limited, Bruins head coach Jim Montgomery confirmed to the press that McAvoy's injury doesn't involve his head.
During the Bruins' recent match against the Buffalo Sabres, McAvoy had to leave the game prematurely, exiting just over a minute into the third period due to an injury. This injury contributed to the team's 3-1 loss, and post-game information was scarce, providing only the information of an upper-body injury. Consequently, the team remains uncertain about the severity of the setback.
A cornerstone of the Bruins' defensive roster, McAvoy exhibits leadership across various statistical metrics. His potential absence would undoubtedly leave a significant void, notably considering Derek Forbort's recent placement on LTIR, leaving the team without a defenseman. This situation might prompt the team to seek alternatives like Ian Mitchell to step in during McAvoy's potential downtime.
Throughout the ongoing season, McAvoy has demonstrated notable offensive prowess, maintaining a near point-per-game pace with three goals and 14 assists in 21 games. His playing time averages over 24 minutes per game, showcasing an increase of almost a minute compared to his career average. Nonetheless, signs of fatigue have emerged, reflected in McAvoy's declining performance. In the last ten games, he's shown negative numbers in nine instances, totaling a combined -11 during that span.
While plus/minus statistics do not provide a comprehensive story, they do raise concerns about McAvoy's recent downturn in performance. Despite contributing six assists in the last ten games, the defenseman, who started the season with 11 points in 11 games, appears to have encountered a slowdown in recent weeks.
