Troiani Rink Report

The Boston Bruins are coming off one of their best wins of the season over their Original Six rivals, the Montreal Canadiens.

However, that win came with a price.

Unfortunately, Boston lost two key players in the win that propelled the Bruins into first place in the Atlantic Division — top defenseman Charlie McAvoy and forward Viktor Arvidsson.

“(McAvoy’s) with the doctors right now, so there’s no timeline,” Sturm told reporters after Boston’s morning skate, per team-provided audio. “Obviously, he’s going to be out tonight, and we’ll see how he (does) today with all his appointments.”

Sturm added that he’s not sure yet if McAvoy will require surgery to repair any damage he suffered.

The 27-year-old defenseman was hit during the second period of the Bruins’ 3-2 win over the Canadiens. Midway through the middle frame, McAvoy took a slap shot from Canadiens defenseman Noah Dobson directly in the mouth while out on the penalty kill.

Arvidsson also had to exit Saturday’s game with a lower-body injury, and he was placed on injured reserve just ahead of Monday’s morning skate. 

The 32-year-old winger appeared to tweak something while trying to chase after a puck in the third period, with Sturm noting on Monday that Arvidsson is “week to week” moving forward. 

Along with Arvidsson, the Bruins placed top-six forward Casey Mittelstadt on injured reserve, and moved defenseman Jordan Harris to long-term injured reserve.

Mittelstadt suffered a lower-body injury in Boston’s overtime win against the Ottawa Senators on Nov. 6. He is week-to-week and has already missed the last four games. Mittelstadt has collected four goals, nine points and 14 shots on net through 15 appearances this season.

Harris underwent a successful open reduction and internal fixation procedure on Oct. 27 after he sustained a right ankle fracture against the Florida Panthers on Oct. 21. He has one goal and one assist in five games for Boston this season.

In corresponding moves, Don Sweeney announced the club had recalled forwards Matej Blumel and Riley Tufte from Providence.

Blumel has been a point-per-game forward for the Bruins’ AHL affiliate. He has tallied two goals and 11 assists for 13 points in 13 games for Providence. Tufte has 16 points in 13 games, by lighting the lamp eight times and adding eight assists this season. The pair have helped lead Providence to an outstanding 12-2-0 record to begin the 2025-26 season.

The Bruins also announced they placed forward Johnny Beecher on waivers for the purpose of assignment to Providence. The 24-year-old bottom-six forward has one goal in six games for Boston this season.

Puck drop from TD Garden is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET on NESN, NESN+ and 98.5 The Sports Hub.

Here are the projected lines and defensive pairings for both clubs:

BOSTON BRUINS (12-8-0)
Morgan Geekie — Marat Khusnutdinov — David Pastrnak
Alex Steeves — Pavel Zacha — Matej Blumel
Tanner Jeannot — Fraser Minten — Mark Kastelic
Riley Tufte — Sean Kuraly — Michael Eyssimont

Nikita Zadorov — Henri Jokiharju
Hampus Lindholm — Andrew Peeke
Mason Lohrei — Jonathan Aspirot

Jeremy Swayman

CAROLINA HURRICANES (12-5-1)
Andrei Svechnikov — Sebastian Aho — Seth Jarvis
Nikolaj Ehlers — Logan Stankoven — Jackson Blake
William Carrier — Jordan Staal — Jordan Martinook
Taylor Hall — Mark Jankowski — Eric Robinson

Shayne Gostisbehere — Sean Walker
K’Andre Miller — Joel Nystrom
Alexander Nikishin — Mike Reilly

Brandon Bussi

ODDS AND ENDS
Special Teams
Power Play: Boston 25.4%, Carolina 13.5%
Penalty Kill: Boston 82.1%, Carolina 79.3%
Penalty Minutes: Boston 234, Carolina 164

Offense and Defense
Goals Scored: Boston 67, Carolina 66
Goals Allowed: Boston 66, Carolina 53

More Bruins: Off the Post: Bruins Hold On To Defeat Canadiens, Take First Place In Division