The Boston Bruins have opened their 2026-27 campaign with four wins in six games, an encouraging start made even more impressive by the absence of their top defenseman.
Charlie McAvoy will make his season debut Tuesday night when the Bruins visit the San Jose Sharks, having completed a six-game suspension carried over from last season’s Stanley Cup playoffs. Indications are that McAvoy will skate alongside Hampus Lindholm on the Bruins’ top defensive pair and quarterback the power play on the top unit.
“I’m really excited to be back. The guys have been doing a great job, so I’m really excited to just rejoin a team that’s starting to find their stride and playing really good,” McAvoy said. “I’ve played with Hammer before. Truly, I think I’ve played with everybody before…No matter who I am with, my job always stays the same: to be the absolute best that I can be and try to elevate my partner.”
McAvoy posted a career-high 61 points last season (11 goals, 50 assists) all while battling through injury adversity. Once settled into the pace of play, McAvoy will continue to look for those offensive opportunities.
“Going to try to get involved; I love that side of the game. Try to do it responsibly, and I know that [Lindholm] can do the same when the time is right,” McAvoy said. “He does open that up for me, being so good defensively, as he is. He likes to go sometimes, too. We will take care of each other.”
Backed by the solid play of Jeremy Swayman and his remarkable stat line of 4-1-0 with a save percentage of .932 and a 1.79 GAA, Boston is off to a strong start. It’s early, but his play has been a big part of why the Bruins managed just fine without McAvoy.
“I think we’ve done a really good job without him, but also, we know we are better with him. It’s nice to have him back,” Sturm said. “He’s been really excited; he’s been looking forward to it for a long, long time.”
McAvoy’s return further strengthens Boston’s blue line while creating some difficult lineup decisions for Sturm. Connor Clifton and Jonathan Aspirot appear to be the odd men out to begin the road trip, although performance and injuries could change that picture quickly.
“They’re tough choices,” Sturm said of scratching Clifton (and Jonathan Aspirot) on the back end. “They’re all playing well. Sometimes it goes by hands or feeling, so we just have to figure out how we’re going to do that moving forward. It’s a tough road trip. I don’t know if it’s going to happen, but we might need all of them at one point.”
The Bruins enter their California road swing riding a two-game winning streak, having outscored the Utah Mammoth and Philadelphia Flyers by a combined 11-2 margin. Now, with McAvoy returning to an already improving defensive group, head coach Marco Sturm has an opportunity to build on the club’s early momentum.
“It was not easy to come out like this, 4-2. We’re very happy. Doesn’t mean we can relax now because Charlie’s back.”
The Bruins have managed just fine without their top defenseman. Now, they’ll look to take another step forward with him.
The Lookahead
The challenge begins in San Jose before stops in Anaheim and Los Angeles, followed by a visit to Dallas to conclude the four-game trip.
The early-season adversity continues for the Bruins, who will look to carry their recent success away from TD Garden. With McAvoy returning to the lineup and Swayman providing stability between the pipes, Boston has an opportunity to build on its encouraging start.
G-Rant @TheRealG_Rant/Grant Cumming. Bruins fan. Bigger dreams, bigger screens, bigger feelings are planned.
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