Charlie McAvoy checked head-first into boards after nasty hit from Cedric Paquette, scrum erupts

The Tampa Bay Lightning are through to the Eastern Conference Finals after a second overtime 3-2 win last night against the Boston Bruins.

Victor Hedman scored the game winning goal which sent the Bruins home from the bubble.

In the third period, Charlie McAvoy left the ice after crashing straight into the boards head-first.

Battling for the puck, McAvoy was hit hard in the back by Cedric Paquette and laid on the ice for several minutes before leaving for the dressing rooms. He came back and finished the game shortly after.

No penalty was called on the play. Sportsnet expert Brian Burke thought it was the right call.

“Charlie’s got to stand up straight, take that hit, forearm on the glass, play that puck,” Burke said.

“Not our series to get those calls,” Bruins head coach Bruce Cassidy said post-game on the no-call.

In the second period, McAvoy was just inches away from getting Brayden Point’s skate straight to the face. He appeared to be shaken up by the event, but returned after sitting out one shift.

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