NHL playoffs: Buffalo Sabres advance after Charlie McAvoy ejected for violent slash
Sabres forward Zach Benson trips Bruins defenseman, prompting a reaction that results in a five-minute major and automatic game misconduct with 1:31 remaining.
The Buffalo Sabres have secured their place in the second round of the NHL playoffs following a decisive victory over the Boston Bruins in Game 6. The match concluded with an elimination loss for Boston, leaving the Sabres to face the winner of the series between the Montreal Canadiens and Tampa Bay Lightning.
The decisive moment occurred with 1:31 remaining in the contest, a period when the Bruins were short-handed due to an icing call. Sabres forward Zach Benson tripped Bruins defenseman Charlie McAvoy, sending him crashing into the end boards. McAvoy subsequently skated through his teammates and delivered a two-handed slash across Benson's torso. The league officials immediately assessed the action, resulting in a five-minute major penalty for slashing and an automatic game misconduct that ejected McAvoy from the match.
Sabres coach Lindy Ruff addressed the incident immediately, attributing McAvoy's reaction to raw emotion stemming from the trip. While Ruff acknowledged that the response "probably went a little too far," he defended the sentiment behind the play, noting that McAvoy felt his feet were taken out from underneath him. McAvoy later conceded that he felt Benson had given him a slew foot during the engagement.
The incident has drawn attention from the NHL Department of Player Safety, which reviews every play that could result in supplemental discipline. When questioned about the likelihood of further punishment, McAvoy suggested that the outcome would not significantly impact his career, stating he would not play another game until September regardless of the league's decision.
Statistically, the series proved difficult for the Bruins defenseman, who finished with a minus-6 rating and two assists over the six-game campaign. The loss marked a significant setback for Boston, who were unable to prevent a backbreaking goal by Buffalo forward Josh Doan that contributed to the Sabres' 4-1 lead in the third period.
The Sabres' advancement ends a 17-year wait for the franchise to reach the second round of the playoffs, a milestone last achieved in 2007. As the playoffs progress, the focus now shifts to the upcoming Game 7 between Montreal and Tampa Bay in Tampa on Sunday.
