Charlie McAvoy Suspended Six Games for Axe Blow

The NHL Department of Player Safety announced on May 12, 2026, that Boston Bruins defenseman Charlie McAvoy has been suspended for six regular-season games without pay. The disciplinary action follows a slashing incident involving Buffalo Sabres forward Zach Benson during the Eastern Conference First Round.

The incident took place during the third period of Game 6 between the Bruins and the Sabres. According to league records, the infraction occurred at 18:29 of the final period in a game where the Sabres secured a 4-1 victory, eliminating the Bruins from the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Details of the Incident

The confrontation began as McAvoy and Benson pursued a loose puck into the Boston zone. During the play, Benson knocked McAvoy down in a move described as appearing to be a slew foot, which resulted in McAvoy crashing into the endboards.

Following the play, McAvoy charged toward Benson and delivered a two-handed slash across the forward’s midsection. The sequence triggered a series of melees between the two teams.

On the ice, McAvoy was assessed a five-minute major penalty for slashing and a game misconduct. Benson was assessed a minor penalty for tripping.

Suspension Terms and Enforcement

Because the Boston Bruins were eliminated from the postseason following the loss on May 2, 2026, the six-game suspension cannot be served during the current playoffs. McAvoy will serve the suspension at the beginning of the 2026-27 campaign.

The Department of Player Safety had previously offered McAvoy an in-person hearing on May 11, 2026. Under league rules, an in-person hearing is offered if an infraction may require a suspension of six games or more.

Player History and Season Performance

The suspension comes after a statistically significant season for the 28-year-old defenseman. McAvoy appeared in 69 games during the 2025-26 season, recording 11 goals and a career-high 50 assists for a total of 61 points. His performance contributed to Boston finishing fourth in the Atlantic Division and securing the first Wild Card spot in the Eastern Conference.

This is not the first time McAvoy has faced supplemental discipline from the league. His disciplinary record includes:

• A four-game suspension in 2024 resulting from an illegal hit to the head of Florida Panthers defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson.
• A one-game suspension during the 2019 playoffs for a check to the head of Josh Anderson, who was then playing for the Columbus Blue Jackets.