The Boston Bruins will be without defenseman Charlie McAvoy in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals against the Carolina Hurricanes.
McAvoy was handed a one-game suspension Tuesday by the NHL for an illegal check to the head of Josh Anderson of the Columbus Blue Jackets late in the second period of their game Monday in Columbus. The Bruins won 3-0 to win the series 4-2.
The NHL Department of Player Safety, which announced the suspension, said McAvoy delivered a "high, hard check that made Anderson's head the main point of contact" and was avoidable.
It was noted that McAvoy had neither been fined nor suspended previously in his 117-game NHL career.
