Charlie McAvoy returned to the Boston Bruins lineup Tuesday in San Jose after serving a six-game suspension, giving coach Marco Sturm his top defenseman back as the team began a four-game Western road trip against the Sharks.
The Bruins entered the matchup with a 4-2 record without McAvoy, who was suspended for a playoff slash on Buffalo Sabres forward Zach Benson.
According to the New York Times, McAvoy had continued practicing with the team during the suspension but had not played in games.
McAvoy resumed his role on the top defensive pair with Hampus Lindholm and returned to the first power play unit while also contributing on the penalty kill.
The New York Times reported that he planned to manage his workload while rebuilding game conditioning.
"I’m excited to be back," said Charlie McAvoy, Bruins defenseman.
McAvoy said his time away from games felt unusual despite practicing with teammates during training camp and the suspension period.
"It was a really long time. Long time for me.
I got to go through the camp with everybody. So I guess in that capacity, it definitely did feel short and different from normal.
It’s almost like ramping up to go nowhere fast," said Charlie McAvoy, Bruins defenseman.
Sturm credited McAvoy’s team-first approach while he was unavailable, noting that the defenseman allowed other players to handle regular responsibilities before returning to a larger role.
"He wanted the guys who were playing every night to feel good. That’s just him," said Marco Sturm, Bruins head coach.
"Today, it was totally different. He’s back to normal.
It was definitely a good practice. Good energy today — he was probably the biggest reason," said Marco Sturm, Bruins head coach.
The defensive lineup changes created difficult decisions for Boston.
Connor Clifton, who led Bruins defensemen with 20:38 of average ice time during McAvoy’s absence, moved into the extra defenseman role after the team’s latest practice combinations.
"They’re tough choices. Not because some guys are not playing well.
That’s not the truth. I think they all played really well," said Marco Sturm, Bruins head coach.
Sturm said the team would continue evaluating its defensive combinations during a demanding road trip that includes games against San Jose, Anaheim, Los Angeles and Dallas.
"Lifting was a little bit of an extension of summer training, not having to be worried about being sore.
It was a longer summer in that aspect for me. I feel really strong.
I feel really good with where my body’s at. Conditioning is tough.
We worked really hard on the ice — you stay out after and do all those bag skates. Nothing can replace the game.
(Tuesday) I’ll be keeping my shifts short and try to acclimate pretty quick," said Charlie McAvoy, Bruins defenseman.
Rookie defenseman Frédéric Brunet remained in the lineup after a strong start alongside Mason Lohrei.
According to the New York Times, the pair had helped Boston outscore opponents 3-0 during 40:43 of five-on-five ice time.
"The more games I was getting into, the better I felt.
I just started having a lot of confidence, trusting myself, trusting my partner and making some plays out there.
Just going forward, I think it’s going to get better and better," said Frédéric Brunet, Bruins defenseman.
Brunet also described the confidence created by his relationship with Lohrei, who had been his former American Hockey League roommate before becoming his defensive partner.
"There’s not really any pressure. You know he always has your back no matter what.
Mistake or no mistake, he’s always going to be there for me. That was huge for me," said Frédéric Brunet, Bruins defenseman.
