Jamie Sabau-Imagn Images

Bruins Coach Shares Charlie McAvoy Update After Face Surgery

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Antonio Losada | Last updated Nov 20, 2025 9:30 AM ET

The Boston Bruins are moving ahead without one of their most important players as they begin a critical stretch of their schedule.

Charlie McAvoy remains back in Boston after undergoing facial surgery earlier this week, head coach Marco Sturm confirmed Wednesday, per NHL.com.

The defenseman is not traveling with the team as he recovers at home from the injury sustained in Saturday’s 3-2 win over the Montreal Canadiens.

“Charlie had a facial surgery — successfully, so he’s doing good,” Sturm said. “He's recovering right now at home, and we still don't know how long he's going to be out for. Other guys have to step up, I think that's the bottom line. It can't be (Nikita) Zadorov and (Hampus) Lindholm.”

Per Coach Sturm: Charlie McAvoy had facial surgery, and is recovering at home. No timetable for his return.@adampellerin | #NHLBruins pic.twitter.com/6cBUVmTVyA
— NESN (@NESN) November 19, 2025

McAvoy was struck in the face by a slap shot from Montreal’s Noah Dobson midway through the second period of Saturday’s game.

The puck deflected off a teammate before catching McAvoy under the visor, leaving him bloodied and forcing him to exit the game immediately. Bruins defenseman Nikita Zadorov was spotted retrieving teeth from the ice following the incident.

The 27-year-old McAvoy has already missed one game and won’t play during Boston’s current four-game road trip, at the very least.

Boston Bruins defenseman Charlie McAvoy (73) is tended by a trainer after receiving a shot in the mouth.Eric Bolte-Imagn Images

For now, the Bruins have not placed McAvoy on injured reserve, but Sturm did not elaborate on the procedure or share a projected timeline for the blueliner's return to the ice.

McAvoy has averaged 23 minutes, 46 seconds of time on ice per game, leading the Bruins on that front, while tallying 14 assists in 19 appearances.

The Bruins enter Thursday at 12–10–0, sitting second in the Atlantic Division after losing to the Anaheim Ducks 4-3 on Wednesday.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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