Bruins’ Charlie McAvoy hit in the mouth by a slap shot, exits game against Canadiens

MONTREAL (AP) – Boston defenseman Charlie McAvoy was hit in the mouth by a slap shot and left the Bruins’ game against the Montreal Canadiens midway through the second period Saturday night and didn’t return to the game.

Boston coach Marco Sturm said after the Bruins’ 3-2 victory that McAvoy was “doing OK” and undergoing testing.

“Try to get him home as soon as possible, hopefully tonight with us, but other than that, hopefully he will be OK,” Sturm said.

With the Canadiens on a power play, Noah Dobson’s one-timer appeared to deflect off Boston forward Mark Kastelic before hitting McAvoy.

McAvoy immediately covered his face and dropped to the ice, while a team doctor rushed from the bench to help him.

The 27-year-old American then hurried to the dressing room after bleeding on the ice. Teammate Nikita Zadorov was seen trying to retrieve lost teeth.

“Praying for him everything’s going to be fine,” Bruins forward David Pastrnak. “I haven’t heard anything yet. Hopefully, he’s going to be all right. It’s a tough break, so a very tough moment.”

Canadiens forward Cole Caufield was standing next to McAvoy he was hit.

“It’s terrible,” Caufield said. “It’s a very scary part of the game, and I just really hope he’s OK. That was tough to see, and I wish him the best.”

The Bruins improved to 12-8-0, winning for the eighth time in nine games.