Jack Studley reports that Anton Lundell tackled Charlie McAvoy between the benches, and the Panthers-Bruins game at TD Garden just got uglier.
Lundell was a game-time decision coming in. Paul Maurice had said Jack Devine would draw in if he couldn't go, and Lundell ended up on the third line with Eetu Luostarinen and Cole Reinhardt. Anton Lundell's game-time decision was settled before puck drop. Now he's the center of the story.
Studley says the play was whistled dead and Lundell went to the box for two minutes for roughing.
BR_OpenIce adds that the two were jawing at each other before Lundell popped him.
Conor Ryan sees it as worse than a tackle. He says Lundell sucker-punched McAvoy right before a Bruins power play, that McAvoy was slow to get up, started the power play anyway, and was then sent off by the ref. McAvoy was not happy, per Ryan.
Handing Boston a power play by going after its top defenseman is a poor trade for a third-line center, whatever was said between the benches.
It was already a chippy afternoon. Garnet Hathaway fought Mark Kastelic, and there were 86 total penalty minutes through two periods. Brady Tkachuk's fight with Zadorov came right off the opening draw.
What we know about McAvoy's status
Studley later reported that McAvoy went to the room. Ryan reports he was back to start the third period.
Ryan guessed someone called him down for a concussion check, but that's his speculation. Nothing is confirmed on why McAvoy went down the tunnel.
The Panthers and the NHL have given no update on the incident, and there's no word from the league. The game is still in progress, so this is a developing story, and we will keep tabs on it. Florida's next game is Tuesday at Columbus.
Quick hits
TAMPA BAY LIGHTNINGYanni Gourde is back. Erik Erlendsson reports he's been activated off injured reserve ahead of tonight's game at Winnipeg. Tampa gets a familiar body back in the lineup.
GOALIE MATCHUPRotoWire confirms Adin Hill starts for the Golden Knights in Buffalo, with Colten Ellis in the other crease for the Sabres.
DALLAS STARSElliotte Friedman reports Arvid Soderblom (Chicago) and Poirier (Washington) are on waivers. Stars fans will want to watch that wire.
COLORADO AVALANCHECorey Masisak reports Cale Makar left Avalanche practice in pain. No other details yet, and that's a name no team wants to see leave the ice.
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