Bruins Face a Surprising Decision With Charlie McAvoy Returning

The Boston Bruins face a roster dilemma as top defenseman Charlie McAvoy prepares to return Tuesday against the San Jose Sharks. McAvoy served a six-game suspension carried over from the previous postseason. Boston went 4-2-0 during his absence, concluding the stretch with a 5-1 victory over the Philadelphia Flyers, leaving head coach Marco Sturm to decide who exits the lineup.

Nestor Quixtan highlights strong showings by young blueliners Mason Lohrei, who scored four points in six games, and Frederic Brunet. With Jonathan Aspirot already regularly scratched among eight defensemen on the roster, the writer suggests Boston could consider an 11-forward, seven-defenseman lineup to ease McAvoy back without completely disrupting defensive continuity.