McAvoy hearing – Charlie McAvoy will face an in-person hearing Monday after a slash on Zach Benson during Game 6, with suspension risk looming.
A high-stakes meeting with the NHL is now scheduled for Charlie McAvoy after an ugly moment in Friday’s Game 6.
Misryoum reports that the league’s Department of Player Safety will hold an in-person hearing with the Boston Bruins defenceman on Monday. May 11. at the NHL’s offices in New York.. The review follows McAvoy’s slash on Buffalo Sabres forward Zach Benson in the final moments of Game 6. after a sequence that saw contact in the dying stages of the matchup.
That incident came with 1:31 remaining in the game.. After a slew from Benson. McAvoy slid into the boards. and then chased down the Sabre before swinging his stick across Benson’s chest.. The NHL response was immediate in-game: McAvoy was assessed a five-minute major and a game misconduct for the play.
This matters because Player Safety hearings can reshape the outlook of teams quickly, even when the season has already ended. The NHL’s decision will determine whether McAvoy’s offseason looks more like recovery or preparation for another stretch on the sideline.
With Buffalo earning a 4-1 win in Game 6, the Sabres claimed the series and moved on to secure their first playoff series victory since 2007. For Boston, the post-season run ended in a six-game loss, and the incident adds another layer to a conclusion already filled with frustration.
In the same context. Misryoum notes that the possibility of a longer suspension is tied to the fact that the hearing is taking place in person.. If the league decides to suspend McAvoy for six or more games. the expectation is that he would begin serving the penalty at the start of the 2026-27 regular season.
On the ice across Boston’s six-game series, McAvoy logged 25:37 of ice time per contest, contributing two assists while finishing with a minus-6 rating. During the regular season, he recorded 11 goals and 61 points over 69 games, underscoring how significant his role has been for the Bruins.
The next few days will be about waiting and assessing rather than playing, but the outcome will carry real weight for Boston’s future depth on the blue line. Misryoum will continue tracking the league’s ruling as the decision approaches.