Team USA defenseman Charlie McAvoy won't play in the 4 Nations Face-Off championship game against Canada as he undergoes testing related to an upper-body injury, the Boston Bruins announced Tuesday.
McAvoy is believed to be dealing with an infection, Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman reports. The blue-liner was admitted to hospital Monday and missed the USA's 2-1 loss to Sweden.
American forwards Matthew Tkachuk and Auston Matthews also didn't play Monday, while Brady Tkachuk exited against Sweden with an injury.
McAvoy has seven goals and 23 points in 50 games this season with the Bruins. He played 19:27 on Saturday versus Canada.
Team USA is believed to be talking to the NHL about the possibility of getting an injury replacement for McAvoy before Thursday's final, ESPN's Emily Kaplan reports. However, sources told Daily Faceoff's Frank Seravalli that the current plan doesn't involve any replacements.
The Americans have six defensemen available with McAvoy out. Ottawa Senators rearguard Jake Sanderson made his 4 Nations debut versus Sweden.
Canada was permitted to add defenseman Thomas Harley to its roster Saturday after Shea Theodore was ruled out for the tournament and Cale Makar was unavailable against the United States due to illness.
