The Boston Bruins had a historic drop off following a report breaking 135 factors in 2022-23 to simply 76 two years later in 2024-25. However, this previous season, they bounced again in a giant approach, forcing their approach into the Stanley Cup Playoffs and a spherical one matchup with the surging Buffalo Sabres.
Despite having the sting in post-season expertise, the Bruins can be taken down by their youthful rivals, shedding the collection in six video games regardless of two very spectacular street victories in Buffalo.
Advertisement
Game 6 was the place issues received their most intense between Atlantic Division rivals, and because the Sabres had been wrapping up the collection, the physicality between the 2 groups escalated to new heights.
The most memorable second to come back out of that concerned Charlie McAvoy, who had simply been tripped by Zach Benson late within the recreation because the Sabres had been trying to put issues away with an empty web purpose. In retaliation of that second, the veteran defenseman went after Benson, delivering a brutal slash that noticed his time on the ice and his season formally come to an finish.
Advertisement
On Tuesday, 11 days after the incident, the NHL‘s Department of Player Safety formally announced his punishment, as he will likely be suspended for six video games to start out the 2026-27 common season.
Clearly, as seen above, the play was greater than worthy of a suspension, because the NHL’s DoPS deemed that McAvoy was clearly attempting to inflict harm on Benson in retaliation for a visit that noticed him go crashing into the boards.
Thankfully for Buffalo, Benson was not injured on the play, however for a Bruins staff trying to get again into the post-season subsequent 12 months, they will play no less than six of their 84 video games with out their finest blue liner within the lineup.
Advertisement
Related: Bruins President Cam Neely Reveals Key Need Heading Into NHL Offseason
This story was initially printed by Athlon Sports on May 12, 2026, the place it first appeared within the NHL part. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.