By: Jake Ferraro | Follow me on Twitter/X @18Jxxx18
Three nights ago, the Boston Bruins lost in brutal fashion to the Tampa Bay Lightning at the National Hockey League’s 2026 Navy Credit Federal Union Stadium Series at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. The Bruins had 5-1 midway through the second period, then lost the game 6-5 in a shootout.
Despite the shootout loss, defenseman Charlie McAvoy made Bruins history. McAvoy recorded two assists in the game, and it helped him move into fifth place all-time for most points among defensemen in Bruins history with 338 points.
McAvoy passed former teammate Torey Krug with his two-point game. Now, McAvoy trails Brad Park, Zdeno Chara, Bobby Orr, and Raymond Bourque in Bruins history for most points among defensemen. Even with trailing four Hall of Fame defensemen in points, McAvoy certainly has found himself in elite company in Bruins history.
The first point McAvoy got in the Stadium Series game to tie Krug all-time was late in the first period. McAvoy threw a shot on net that Morgan Geekie deflected to give the Bruins a 2-1 lead. Less than 2.5 minutes later, before the period ended, McAvoy passed Krug.
With the Bruins on a powerplay, McAvoy did the same thing as his first assist by throwing a puck on net to get deflected. This time, Viktor Arvidsson was the Bruin who deflected the puck into the net to extend the lead to 3-1 for McAvoy to get his second point to pass Krug.
The Bruins sure have missed McAvoy’s impact this season after he missed 32 games last season. Despite missing 12 games this season, McAvoy’s 38 points are third on the Bruins’ roster. McAvoy’s 38 assists are also second on the Bruins. McAvoy has been a steady two-way defenseman all season, and the Bruins will rely on him more for the team’s 2026 playoff push.
Even with making Bruins history last game, McAvoy will need to put that behind him due to the loss in an attempt to rebound. Tonight’s game against the Florida Panthers is the Bruins’ final game before the 2026 Winter Olympics, where McAvoy will be representing Team USA.
Tonight’s game against the Panthers is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise, Florida. McAvoy and the Bruins fell 4-3 to the Panthers in the first and only meeting this season back in Boston on Oct. 21.
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