The Boston Bruins have the opportunity to put a stranglehold on the Atlantic Division if they can beat the Tampa Bay Lightning Tuesday night, and the team received some great news regarding its blue line ahead of the game.
Bruins head coach Bruce Cassidy announced following his team’s morning skate that Charlie McAvoy has been cleared to play. The standout rookie hasn’t suited up since suffering a left MCL sprain in a March 3 game against the Montreal Canadiens.
McAvoy, 20, has only managed to play in 59 games this season, during which he has seven goals and 25 assists. He also missed a chunk of time in January after undergoing a procedure to treat an abnormal heart rhythm. McAvoy had been skating on the Bruins’ top pair beside Zdeno Chara while averaging 22:06 of ice-time per game prior to his MCL injury.
“Four weeks of hard work, a lot of stuff behind the scenes to get back here,” McAvoy told reporters. “I feel really well and I’m excited to get back out there tonight.”
McAvoy will wear a knee brace, something he’s not accustomed to.
“It’s different,” he explained. “I’ve had about a week or so of skating and trying to get acclimated to the brace. There’s a lot of guys on the team that use them and I’m sure it’s the same around the league. Every single one of them will tell you that it’s uncomfortable at first but then you get used to it and it’s like it’s not even there. It will be a process…it doesn’t alter my skating in any way, feels good.”
In other Bruins news, Tommy Wingels (hand) won’t play Tuesday but isn’t expected to be out long term. Rick Nash (upper body) skated but Riley Nash (head) and Sean Kuraly (upper body) did not. Cassidy offered no update on the condition of Brandon Carlo (left leg).
As for the Lightning, Tampa Bay head coach Jon Cooper confirmed Tuesday his team will be without Steven Stamkos who’s considered day-to-day with a lower-body injury.
Sportsnet’s John Shannon even suggested the Lightning may decide to shut Stamkos for the remainder of the regular season as a precaution prior to the playoffs.
Boston currently has one game in hand and a two-point edge on Tampa Bay for first place in the Eastern Conference.
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