Boston Bruins defenseman Charlie McAvoy has been suspended four games for an illegal check to the head on Florida Panthers rearguard Oliver Ekman-Larsson, the NHL's Department of Player Safety announced Tuesday.
The hit occurred in Monday's contest. McAvoy was given a five-minute major and a game misconduct.
McAvoy gets a well-deserved misconduct.
— Jameson Olive (@JamesonCoop) October 31, 2023
Match penalty for an illegal check to the head on OEL. pic.twitter.com/EYa1NXVHka
Ekman-Larsson was able to stay in the game after the collision. Boston ultimately won the playoff rematch 3-2 in overtime.
McAvoy is off to a strong start to the 2023-24 campaign, as he's registered eight points in nine games while averaging nearly 24 minutes per contest. He occupies the right side of the Bruins' top defensive pairing and has played a key role in the club's 8-0-1 start.
He had been suspended once in his seven-year career prior to Monday's decision, a one-game ban for a hit to the head of then-Blue Jackets forward Josh Anderson in the 2019 postseason.
McAvoy is eligible to return to the ice Nov. 11 against the Montreal Canadiens.
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