Sure, the Boston Bruins were without three of their top defensemen – Charlie McAvoy (wrist), Hampus Lindholm (knee) and Brandon Carlo (ill) – but Boston’s overall defense was terrible during a 7-2 loss to the Buffalo Sabres Tuesday at KeyBank Center in Buffalo, N.Y.

The McAvoy family grew after Charlie McAvoy’s wife Kiley, gave birth the couple’s first child on Sunday morning.

Charlie McAvoy’s injury won’t keep him from playing in the NHL 4 Nations Face-Off for Team USA.

The Boston Bruins will be without Charlie McAvoy due to an undisclosed injury. Joe Sacco has explained the situation but hasn't delved into what caused it.

Boston Bruins defenseman Charlie McAvoy is still recovering from an undisclosed injury with no set return date.

The Bruins host the Jets on Thursday. Lindholm, who is currently on Long Term Injured Reserve has been out since suffering a lower-body injury on Nov. 12 against the Blues. McAvoy had been out since Jan. 11 with an undisclosed injury.

The Boston Bruins had practice on Jan. 27, and it was a notable one for the Original Six club. Both Hampus Lindholm and Charlie McAvoy practiced in regular jerseys with the Original Six club for the first time since being injured.

Boston Bruins left wing Cole Koepke (45) collides with Buffalo Sabres goaltender Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen in the crease during the second period of an NHL hockey game, Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2025, in Buffalo, N.Y. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes) AP

On defense, the Bruins will be even more shorthanded, however. Brandon Carlo will be out due to an illness. In addition, head coach Joe Sacco confirmed Charlie McAvoy and Hampus Lindholm will still be out of the lineup against the Sabres.

Tage Thompson and JJ Peterka had hat tricks, and Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen made 25 saves as Buffalo rolled to a 7-2 win over Boston.

The lead lasted all of 55 seconds. The B’s top line got hemmed in its own end for much of the shift and, after it finally pushed it out of the zone, the players got caught in a change. On a Sabre 4-on-3, Matt Poitras got lost out high and Dylan Cozens connected with the wide-open trailer Thompson, who ripped a slapper past Swayman.