The Boston Bruins‘ most important defenseman is set to return, as head coach Joe Sacco confirmed that Charlie McAvoy will re-enter the lineup Thursday against the Winnipeg Jets, per Scott McLaughlin of WEEI Sports Radio.

Auston Matthews of the Toronto Maple Leafs has been selected as the U.S. captain for the upcoming 4 Nations Face-Off.

The 4 Nations Face-Off captains and leadership groups for Canada, Finland, Sweden and the U.S. must guide their teams to a win with little margin for error.

Boston Bruins defenseman Charlie McAvoy will return to the lineup Thursday against the Winnipeg Jets, interim head coach Joe Sacco announced, according to Boston Sports Journal's Joe Haggerty.McAvoy missed the previous seven games due to a nagging upper-body injury.

Matthews, 27, led the NHL with 69 goals last season and won the Hart Trophy in 2021-22, when he scored 106 points in 73 games.

Charlie McAvoy and Hampus Lindholm both returned to Bruins’ practice on Monday. Neither will play on Tuesday at Buffalo, but their return signals a significant step in their efforts to return to the lineup.

Who are some players that could step into Canada’s 4 Nations Face-Off team if needed? Here’s a selection of forwards, defencemen and goaltenders we’d hope would be considered.

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

The Bruins will get a boost on their blue line on Thursday night, as defenseman Charlie McAvoy will rejoin the lineup when Boston hosts the Winnipeg Jets at TD Garden.

BOSTON – Boston Bruins General Manager Don Sweeney announced today, January 30, that the team has added defenseman Charlie McAvoy to the active roster (Date of Injury: Jan. 11) and assigned forward Max Jones to Providence.

Auston Matthews will lead a new generation of American stars at the 4 Nations Face-Off. The Toronto Maple Leafs captain will wear the ‘C’ for the United States at the upcoming best-on-best tournament.