{"id":217,"date":"2026-05-13T09:03:25","date_gmt":"2026-05-13T09:03:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bostonrelocationinsider.com\/?p=217"},"modified":"2026-05-13T09:03:25","modified_gmt":"2026-05-13T09:03:25","slug":"charlie-mcavoy-receives-six-game-suspension-to-start-next-season-for-game-6-slash-on-sabres-zach-benson","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bostonrelocationinsider.com\/?p=217","title":{"rendered":"Charlie McAvoy receives six-game suspension to start next season for Game 6 slash on Sabres\u2019 Zach Benson"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Bruins alternate captain Charlie McAvoy was suspended for six games without pay Tuesday for his slash on Buffalo\u2019s Zach Benson in the waning minutes of Game 6 of the teams\u2019 first-round Eastern Conference playoff series May 1 at TD Garden.<\/span><\/p>\n

Read more Quick outs lead to Red Sox coming up empty against the Phillies\u2019 Wheeler<\/a><\/p>\n

McAvoy\u2019s two-handed chop on Benson was in retaliation for the Sabres forward\u2019s slew-foot takedown of the Bruins defenseman near the rear boards.<\/span><\/p>\n

McAvoy was given a five-minute slashing major and a 10-minute game misconduct while Benson was penalized two minutes for tripping.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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In explaining the decision, the NHL\u2019s Department of Player Safety called McAvoy\u2019s actions \u201can intentional and forceful strike delivered to an opponent\u2019s body specifically for the purpose of retribution.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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Benson\u2019s dangerous takedown \u2014 players have been suspended in the past for slew footing \u2014 doesn\u2019t absolve McAvoy of his equally unsafe action but was likely part of his argument during Monday\u2019s in-person hearing with the DPS in New York.<\/span><\/p>\n

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