The United States will be without one of their best defensemen for Thursday's 4 Nations Face-Off final against Canada at TD Garden. The Boston Bruins announced in a statement Tuesday morning that Charlie McAvoy has been ruled out due to an issue related to an upper-body injury sustained during the tournament.
"Charlie was admitted to Massachusetts General Hospital on Monday to undergo testing related to an upper-body injury sustained during the 4 Nations Face-Off and is currently being evaluated by Boston Bruins Head Team Physician Dr. Peter Asnis," the statement reads. "He will not play for Team USA in the 4 Nations Face-Off Championship Game on Thursday at TD Garden. The Boston Bruins will provide further updates on his condition and status as soon as they become available."
Frank Seravalli of Daily Faceoff had reported earlier Tuesday that McAvoy was dealing with an infection "that stemmed from a minor injury." Seravalli added that there is no long-term concern.
On Tuesday night, Seravalli also reported that McAvoy will be out "week-to-week," meaning he will also miss Bruins games after the break. Boston's first game back is Saturday night against Anaheim.
It's a big loss for Team USA. McAvoy had a great first two games of the tournament, including matching up against Connor McDavid throughout Saturday's 3-1 win over Canada and landing two big hits on the Edmonton Oilers superstar. The first was a major turning point in the game, with Jake Guentzel scoring later on the same shift to tie the game.
Ottawa Senators defenseman Jake Sanderson stepped into the USA lineup for his tournament debut in Monday's loss to Sweden. USA head coach Mike Sullivan said Tuesday morning that Quinn Hughes, the reigning Norris Trophy winner who had previously been ruled out of the tournament due to his own injury, is also on his way to Boston to join the team ahead of Thursday's final.
Meanwhile, Canada will have 2022 Norris winner Cale Makar back for Thursday's game. Makar did not play in Saturday's showdown due to illness, but returned for Monday’s 5-3 win over Finland and played 23:57 with no signs of any lingering effects.
On the bright side for Team USA, their other banged-up stars -- Auston Matthews, Matthew Tkachuk and Brady Tkachuk -- are all expected to play Thursday. Matthews and Matthew Tkachuk did not play Monday due to upper-body and lower-body injuries, respectively. Brady Tkachuk left the game in the first period with a lower-body injury and did not return.
McAvoy will also be a big loss for the Bruins, who will be trying to cling to their playoff hopes in the seven games before the March 7 trade deadline. Boston could get fellow defenseman Hampus Lindholm back after the break, although Lindholm did not practice with the team Tuesday afternoon, instead skating on his own after practice.
UPDATE: The Bruins issued another statement on Wednesday morning, this one from head team physician Dr. Peter Asnis:
"Charlie McAvoy sustained an injury to his right shoulder acromioclavicular joint in Team USA’s 4 Nations Face-Off game against Finland on February 13. He underwent treatment, which was administered by Team USA’s medical staff. Upon returning to Boston, he developed increasing pain, for which he was evaluated by the Boston Bruins’ medical staff. After undergoing x-rays, MRIs, and bloodwork, he was diagnosed as having an infection in his right shoulder, as well as a significant injury to his AC joint. He underwent an irrigation and debridement procedure at Massachusetts General Hospital on February 18. He remains in the hospital, where he is being treated with IV antibiotics, and his condition is improving."