Bruins' Charlie McAvoy: Hits injured reserve

McAvoy (face) will be placed on injured reserve by the Bruins, the team announced Sunday.

McAvoy was hit in the face with a slap shot Nov. 15 against the Canadiens and suffered an injury that required surgery, but the expectation is he'll be back for the Olympics in February, if not well before then. The 27-year-old will head to injured reserve now in order to clear a roster spot for the return of Elias Lindholm (lower body). McAvoy's season will be put on hiatus with 14 assists, 26 hits and 32 blocked shots to his name in 19 games.