The Boston Bruins will have to start next season without one of their top defensemen. Charlie McAvoy has been suspended for the first six games of the 2025-26 campaign following a controversial incident in the playoffs.

The NHL’s Department of Player Safety handed down the ruling Tuesday after an in-person hearing in New York. The decision came from senior VP George Parros and his team, who had the authority to impose a suspension of six games or more.

The play in question occurred late in Game 5 of the first-round series between the Bruins and Buffalo Sabres on May 1. With under two minutes remaining and Boston facing elimination, Sabres forward Zach Benson tripped McAvoy, sending him crashing hard into the boards. In retaliation, McAvoy delivered a two-handed slash to Benson’s right arm, drawing an immediate ejection from the game.

The league acknowledged Benson’s “dangerous trip” had drawn a penalty, but emphasized that McAvoy’s response crossed the line. The slash came at a moment of high tension, with the Sabres on the verge of clinching the series and the Bruins’ season slipping away.

For Bruins fans, this suspension is a tough pill to swallow—especially with McAvoy being a cornerstone of the team’s blue line. It means Boston will be without his physical presence and leadership for nearly two weeks of the regular season. As the team looks to regroup and make another playoff push next year, they'll need their depth players to step up in McAvoy's absence.

Whether you're a Bruins fan or a neutral hockey observer, this incident serves as a reminder of how quickly emotions can boil over in the heat of playoff hockey. One dangerous play leads to another, and sometimes the consequences carry over into the next season.