Charlie McAvoy declines to explain controversial return for Bruins’ Game 5

Charlie McAvoy was initially ruled out Tuesday morning.

But then, the Boston Bruins star defenseman arrived at PNC Arena in Raleigh, North Carolina late Tuesday afternoon. He wore a mask, but it was later confirmed that he had cleared COVID protocols and would play.

McAvoy, who missed Sunday’s Game 4 in Boston after entering the NHL’s COVID-19 protocol, was not expected to be in the lineup. And despite the Bruins’ 5-1 loss at the hands of the Carolina Hurricanes, and now on the brink of elimination heading back home to Boston, McAvoy went on to play a game-high 25:14.

What happened is that McAvoy reported tested out of protocol on Tuesday afternoon, with the NHL determining that he was five days out from the onset of symptoms.

While the blue liner admitted that he was tired and that the virus hit him hard, he declined to explain more about his unexpected return to action on Tuesday.

“I know a lot of you are going to ask questions about the COVID stuff, but I cleared protocol today,” said McAvoy. “So that’s where we’re at now. I just want to leave it in the past if you guys are able to respect that, and we can just talk about the game.”

When asked about McAvoy’s return, head coach Bruce Cassidy didn’t have much more to say that would clarify things for the fanbase.

“I can tell you, our doctors tell me, ‘He’s going into protocol,’ then they tell me he’s coming out at about lunchtime. I don’t know anything about the protocols. We were planning on playing without him. so nice surprise.”

The Bruins will try to stave off elimination Thursday night in Boston. Let’s hope McAvoy can rest in the meantime…