However, the celebratory mood took a sharp turn as the team's top defenseman, Charlie McAvoy, faced a potentially serious injury just moments before the final buzzer.
During the closing minutes of the third period, McAvoy collided with goalie Linus Ullmark while attempting to thwart a Devils' rush opportunity, leaving him on the ice and favoring his leg.
The sight raised concerns about the impact of a potential extended absence for McAvoy, especially with Derek Forbort already sidelined due to a lingering lower-body injury.
As the tension mounted, head coach Jim Montgomery delivered a glimmer of hope for Bruins fans regarding McAvoy's condition. Contrary to the initial severity of the injury, Montgomery revealed,
The news comes as a relief for the Bruins, considering McAvoy's pivotal role in logging heavy minutes and directing the team's top power-play unit.
With the absence of Derek Forbort already challenging the team's defensive depth, the Bruins showcased resilience with Kevin Shattenkirk and Matt Grzelcyk stepping up on the third defensive pair during Saturday's game.
While the Bruins do have defensive options like Parker Wotherspoon and Ian Mitchell in reserve, the intensity of the upcoming schedule post-holiday break underscores the significance of McAvoy's potential swift return.
The Bruins, facing the challenge of maintaining momentum, are undoubtedly relieved that their top defenseman seems poised to remain a crucial part of their lineup in the near future.
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POLL | ||
Would this have been a big loss for the Bruins? | ||
Yes | 501 | 80.8 % |
No | 119 | 19.2 % |
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