A moment of anger from an NHL star and Team USA Olympic gold medalist could lead to a long-term suspension after he lost his composure moments before being eliminated from the playoffs. Boston Bruins defenseman Charlie McAvoy may face severe punishment from the league's Department of Player Safety following a slash on Buffalo Sabres forward Zach Benson in the final moments of Game 6 on Friday night.
Benson is not without blame. With the Sabres leading 4-1 with less than two minutes remaining, the puck was shot down the ice and was about to be called for icing. Benson, in his third NHL season, executed a slew-foot on McAvoy—using his leg to trip the Bruins star from behind just feet from the boards, creating a genuinely dangerous situation.
Enraged, McAvoy got up from the ice and skated over to the Sabres youngster before swinging his hockey stick like a weapon, striking Benson in the arm. McAvoy received a five-minute major penalty and a game misconduct, ejecting him from the contest.
Benson, meanwhile, was only assessed a two-minute minor for tripping. The NHL rulebook states that a slew foot constitutes a match penalty, meaning Benson should have been ejected from the game.
On Saturday, the Department of Player Safety announced that McAvoy has been offered an in-person hearing for the slash. According to Chris Johnston of The Athletic, this step indicates McAvoy could be suspended for six or more games to start the 2026-27 season. The league did not announce any hearing or further punishment for Benson, such as a fine or suspension.
Reflecting on the incident, Sabres coach Lindy Ruff said, "You don't want to see the last play of the game. You don't want to see a guy take a chop like that at somebody else." Ruff added, "I think he feels that Benson tripped him on the play or took his feet out from underneath him. I'm just going to say [it was] raw emotion. Charlie's a hell of a player. Cares about winning. Anybody would want Charlie on his team. Probably went a little too far, though."
Benson recorded two goals and three points across the first six games of the playoffs as the Sabres won their first playoff series since 2007. Buffalo advances to the second round, where they will face the winner of Sunday's Game 7 between the Montreal Canadiens and Tampa Bay Lightning.
