Boston Bruins
“You know, it’s tiring. Honestly, I couldn’t feel worse in my mouth. But I’m going to do some work. We have a really good dentist here, who’s great. I’m really happy we got two points tonight.”
Boston Bruins’ Charlie McAvoy, left, scores the game-winning goal against Los Angeles Kings goalie Darcy Kuemper, right, during overtime period of an NHL hockey game, Tuesday, March 10, 2026, in Boston. AP Photo/Charles Krupa
BOSTON (AP) — His lip full and his mouth bloodied where his lower front teeth should have been, Bruins defenseman Charlie McAvoy told reporters after his game-winning goal that he only had time for two questions.
“Then I have to go get some more dental work done,” the U.S. Olympian said after scoring 39 seconds into overtime on Tuesday night to help the Bruins beat the Los Angeles Kings 2-1 for their 13th straight home win.
McAvoy, a nine-year NHL veteran who won an Olympic gold medal last month in Milan, missed nearly a month after suffering a slap in the mouth in November. He wore a face shield for a while when he returned, but he didn’t have it when he had another puck shoved in his face against Nashville last week or Tuesday night when it was hit on the glass by Kings midfielder Samuel Helenius with about seven minutes left in the second period.
“I just wish the hits would stop, honestly,” he said after the win that helped Boston stay in the playoff berth. “You know, it’s tiring. Honestly, I couldn’t feel worse in my mouth. But I’m going to do some work. We have a really good dentist here, who’s great. I’m really happy we got two points tonight.”
McAvoy left for the locker room but returned at the start of the third period.
“I thought he wasn’t going to come back,” Bruins coach Marco Sturm said. “It doesn’t get any prettier, that’s for sure.”
Sturm said McAvoy apologized for the poor play in the first half, but was in the right place in overtime when Mark Kastelich passed a long pass to David Pastrnak, who fed McAvoy as he entered the box. The defender made a backhand move for the goal.
“He wasn’t that good before the hit,” Sturm said. “But what do you want me to say? This kid just scored the game-winning goal.”
The Bruins were in danger of a leadership void after losing team captain Zdeno Chara and his successors Patrice Bergeron and Brad Marchand. The team is playing without a captain, with McAvoy, Hampus Lindholm and Pastrnak serving as substitutes.
McAvoy’s toughness could get him a promotion.
“Those are the guys you need in the locker room,” Sturm said. “The guy next to him will look (and ask), ‘Well, is he going to get into a fight or not?’” If you sit across from him, if you’re a young man, and you see that, you (say) ‘I don’t want to be the guy who quits.’
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