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• By Michael Whitaker

• Updated May 12, 2026 at 5:59pm

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Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

The Boston Bruins were not only eliminated from the Stanley Cup Playoffs by the Buffalo Sabres, but they will now begin next season shorthanded thanks to the careless actions of defenseman Charlie McAvoy.

In the waning minutes of their Game 6 loss at TD Garden, McAvoy was tripped by Buffalo’s Zach Benson. In retaliation, McAvoy raced toward him and delivered a vicious two-handed slash and was whistled for for a five-minute slashing major and a game misconduct. Meanwhile, Benson was given a tripping minor penalty.

McAvoy was offered an in-person hearing, and now, the National Hockey League Department of Player Safety has made their ruling.

Boston Bruins Defenseman Charlie McAvoy Has Been Suspended For Multiple Games

The NHL Department of Player Safety has announced that McAvoy will be sitting for the first six games of the 2026-27 NHL season, which begins in the fall.

In the announcement video, the DPS explains:

“Players are not excused from illegal acts just because of a prior foul by an opponent. It is also important to note that McAvoy travels some distance to purposefully track down an opponent and seek retribution by using his stick as a weapon with the knowledge that the play, game and series are all over.”