Charlie McAvoy has never played all 82 games in a season. He won't play all 84 (the NHL is adding two games, if you hadn't heard) next season either.
The NHL's Department of Player Safety announced late Tuesday afternoon that McAvoy has been suspended for six regular-season games for slashing Buffalo's Zach Benson at the end of Game 6 of their first-round series on May 1.
The incident came with 1:31 left in the Bruins' season, with the Sabres leading 4-1 and the game and series already decided. As McAvoy raced back on an icing, Benson slew-footed him and sent McAvoy sliding into the end boards, a play that Player Safety acknowledges was a "dangerous trip."
McAvoy responded by skating towards Benson and winding up for a two-handed slash to Benson's arm. He was assessed a five-minute major and a game misconduct on the ice, and later offered an in-person hearing with the league, which opened the door for a suspension of more than five games.
That hearing took place on Monday in New York City, and the Department of Player Safety then issued its verdict on Tuesday.
"It is important to note that players are not excused from illegal acts just because of a prior foul by an opponent," the league notes in its video announcing the suspension. "And 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."
Player Safety also notes that McAvoy's disciplinary history -- two prior suspensions and a fine -- factored into their decision as well.
McAvoy does have the right to appeal the suspension. As of Tuesday afternoon, there was no word as to whether he plans to do that. If he does not appeal, or if the suspension is upheld after an appeal, McAvoy will miss the first six games of the 2026-27 season. Preseason games cannot be counted towards a suspension.
