Bruins defenseman likely facing suspension following dirty hit

In their first game against each other since Game 7 of the first round of last season's playoffs, the Boston Bruins and Florida Panthers picked up right where they left off. The Bruins ended up beating the Panthers 3-2 in overtime, but it may have come with a significant loss.

With the game tied at two and just over 10 minutes left in the third, Bruins defenseman Charlie McAvoy hit Panthers defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson with a late, high hit that caught him in the chin. It was a hit that blindsided Ekman-Larsson, who remained down for a few moments in some discomfort.

McAvoy was assessed a match penalty on the play and given its similarity to the hit Rasmus Andersson of the Calgary Flames got suspended four games for, McAvoy will likely be sitting for the next couple of games, including Thursday's tilt against the Toronto Maple Leafs.

While we await McAvoy's fate, we know that the Bruins will be without defenseman Matt Grzelcyk for "weeks" according to Bruins head coach Jim Montgomery. While unfortunate for the Bruins, who are off to an 8-0-1 start, the Leafs are still dealing with a pretty significant loss on their own blueline with Jake McCabe still sidelined with a groin injury.