Boston Bruins coach Marco Sturm told reporters Monday that surgery remains a possibility for No. 1 defenseman Charlie McAvoy, who was struck in the face by a puck Saturday.
McAvoy, 27, met with doctors Monday as he recovers from the injury, which happened in the second period of Boston’s 3-2 road win over the Montreal Canadiens.
“There’s no timeline (for his return),” Sturm said. “Obviously, he’s going to be out (Monday).”
McAvoy blocked three shots and took a slashing penalty in 13:41 on the ice on Saturday. He entered the day with 14 points (all on assists), 26 penalty minutes, 32 blocks, 26 hits and 23:46 average ice time in 19 games.
Boston selected McAvoy 14th overall in the 2016 NHL Draft.
He has 314 career points (60 goals, 254 assists), 455 penalty minutes, 915 blocks and 934 hits while averaging 23:6 on the ice in 523 regular-season games since the 2017-18 season.
McAvoy played in only 50 games last season. He injured his shoulder at the Bell Centre while playing for Team USA in the NHL 4 Nations Face-Off.
Viktor Arvidsson, who left Saturday’s game with a lower-body injury, was placed on injured reserve Monday along with fellow forward Casey Mittelstadt (lower body). In 20 games this season, Arvidsson has 10 points (six goals, four assists). Mittelstadt has nine points (four goals, five assists) over 15 games.
The Bruins recalled forwards Riley Tufte and Matej Blumel from Providence of the American Hockey League. Tufte played six games for Boston last season but has yet to play in the NHL this season. Blumel has also not suited up in the NHL this season.
Sidelined since Oct. 21 due to ankle surgery, defenseman Jordan Harris was moved to long-term IR. In five games with the Bruins this season, he has two points (one goal, one assist).
