Bruins’ Charlie McAvoy eager to play after suspension

Bruins defenseman Charlie McAvoy was all smiles during Saturday morning’s practice at Warrior Ice Arena.

“It’s the conference finals,” McAvoy said after the 45-minute session. “I’m looking to make an impact in whatever way I can.”

Eager to get his first postseason crack at the Carolina Hurricanes, McAvoy had his conference finals debut put on hold because of a one-game suspension for an illegal hit in the final game of the second-round series against the Columbus Blue Jackets. McAvoy watched Game 1 against the Hurricanes from Level 9 of TD Garden.

“I’m not a very good hockey watcher,” McAvoy said. “The game tends to feel like it’s much longer, and the emotions are way up.”

McAvoy said he tried to take advantage of the punishment by studying and scouting the Hurricanes, paying attention to their tendencies. He declined to share what types of things he picked up on, but noted he was sure to pass along the observations to his teammates.

“You get to see how they play, just from a different perspective,” McAvoy said. “I’m glad I was able to do that.”

McAvoy said he also used the short time off to continue to maintain his physical health, which has undoubtedly taken a beating through 13 postseason starts. Behind goaltender Tuukka Rask, McAvoy averages the most time on ice per game (24:46). In his second full NHL season, the 21-year-old Boston University product has yet to experience playoff hockey beyond May — a milestone the Bruins are certainly working toward — and he’ll need the legs to do so.

“Whenever you’re out, you can use it as an opportunity to get other things feeling right,” McAvoy said. “Get your body right. So, I really tried to do that. It’s a little more time to be able to work out and have a chance for your body to recover. Just try to do all the right things for my body.”

With McAvoy sidelined, coach Bruce Cassidy said the team misses him the most on breakouts, while also highlighting his physicality — after all, he did get suspended for it — and his ability to match up with the opponent’s top line.

“The quick transition in the neutral zone,” Cassidy said. “Those kind of seam passes or those up-the-middle passes that those other guys just don’t have the vision or the confidence to make. Those quick strike plays where the forwards are getting the pucks in their hands in good spots with a little better chance to attack.”

While he, of course, prefers to be on the ice, McAvoy said he couldn’t be happier for 30-year-old Steven Kampfer, who buried the team’s first goal of the game in his place.

“Kampf stepped right in and looked like he didn’t miss a beat,” McAvoy said. “He scored right away in the first period. He played terrific, he was strong on pucks all night, he played an awesome game. He really did. We’re definitely fortunate to have that depth.”

This story was originally published May 11, 2019 at 6:45 PM with the headline "Bruins’ Charlie McAvoy eager to play after suspension."