The Boston Bruins‘ most important defenseman is set to return, as head coach Joe Sacco confirmed that Charlie McAvoy will re-enter the lineup Thursday against the Winnipeg Jets, per Scott McLaughlin of WEEI Sports Radio.

Auston Matthews will serve as captain for the United States in the upcoming 4 Nations Face-Off, and his team is the only one involved without a glaring injury question to answer. Canada, which will have Sidney Crosby as captain for yet another international tournament,

The Bruins will get a boost on their blue line on Thursday night, as defenseman Charlie McAvoy will rejoin the lineup when Boston hosts the Winnipeg Jets at TD Garden.

BOSTON – Boston Bruins General Manager Don Sweeney announced today, January 30, that the team has added defenseman Charlie McAvoy to the active roster (Date of Injury: Jan. 11) and assigned forward Max Jones to Providence.

Boston Bruins defenseman Charlie McAvoy will return to the lineup Thursday against the Winnipeg Jets, interim head coach Joe Sacco announced, according to Boston Sports Journal's Joe Haggerty.McAvoy missed the previous seven games due to a nagging upper-body injury.

On top of welcoming his first child with his wife, Kiley, on Sunday, the Boston Bruins defenseman was named an alternate captain for Team USA for the upcoming NHL 4 Nations Face-Off tournament.

The 4 Nations Face-Off captains and leadership groups for Canada, Finland, Sweden and the U.S. must guide their teams to a win with little margin for error.

Matthews, 27, led the NHL with 69 goals last season and won the Hart Trophy in 2021-22, when he scored 106 points in 73 games.

Also receiving the honour of being named to their respective leadership group is Maple Leafs star William Nylander, who will represent Team Sweden

Charlie McAvoy and Hampus Lindholm both returned to Bruins’ practice on Monday. Neither will play on Tuesday at Buffalo, but their return signals a significant step in their efforts to return to the lineup.

Charlie McAvoy won't suit up for the Bruins' next game against the Buffalo Sabres on Tuesday. Team USA faces off against Finland on Feb. 13 after Canada and Sweden open the tournament the previous ...