The NHL has suspended Boston Bruins defenseman Charlie McAvoy for six regular-season games without pay for slashing Buffalo Sabres forward Zach Benson during the final moments of their playoff series-clinching win on May 1.
The incident occurred with 1:31 left in the third period of Game 6 at TD Garden. After Benson tripped McAvoy as both chased a loose puck and crashed into the end boards, McAvoy got up, charged toward the Sabres forward, and swung his stick like a baseball bat, striking him in the midsection. McAvoy received a five-minute major penalty for slashing and a game misconduct, while Benson was given a two-minute minor for tripping.
The Sabres went on to win the game 4-1 and captured the best-of-seven Eastern Conference first-round series 4-2, ending the Bruins’ season.
McAvoy, who can appeal the punishment, has been suspended twice and fined once previously in his nine-year NHL career. The 28-year-old posted a career-high 61 points with 11 goals and 62 penalty minutes in 69 regular-season games this season, along with two assists in the series against Buffalo.
Overall, McAvoy has 71 goals, 361 points, and 491 penalty minutes in 573 career regular-season games, all with Boston. In 97 playoff games, he has recorded six goals, 50 points, and 103 penalty minutes.
