The defenseman, who was in the starting lineup, had left shoulder arthroscopic stabilization surgery June 3 with an expected recovery time of six months, putting him more than three weeks ahead of schedule.
Bruins coach Jim Montgomery said McAvoy would have no restrictions against the Flames.
"We're very fortunate with the 'D' corps we have that we don't need him to play 24 minutes," Montgomery said Thursday, "but I expect him to play 20 tonight."
McAvoy skated with Hampus Lindholm on the Bruins' top defense pair in practice Wednesday, though Montgomery said he could be switched around depending on the opponent and scenario.
"There will be some mixing and matching," Montgomery said. "He is going to start the game with
[Matt] Grzelcyk
, though. We really like the Lindholm-
pairing. Again, we're very lucky that we can put
in a situation where he can pair up with
and have three really good pairings."
Montgomery said McAvoy adds significant strengths to the lineup.
"Just how he impacts the game in all three zones," Montgomery said. "It doesn't seem like he takes a second off, whether he's pressuring pucks, he's ending plays, he's hitting someone, or he's taking the puck from the breakout through the neutral zone, kicking it out and driving the net, getting a chance at the net."
Bruins center Charlie Coyle seconded his coach's assessment of McAvoy.
"We all know what he means for our team, having him in the lineup, what it does for us and the kind of player he is," Coyle said. "I'm sure he's very excited. We're all excited to have him back. You want your full team out there playing. We have a lot of guys who can pitch in and play but it's always nice when you have a healthy roster and you've got everyone going. We're really excited to have Charlie back."
McAvoy said the injury occurred in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference First Round against the Carolina Hurricanes, which the Bruins lost in seven games.
"It's going to be coming back and dealing with where I'm at in this post-injury," the 24-year-old said Wednesday. "I really don't think it's going to hinder many things, but it's going to be an adjustment."
McAvoy is the third Bruins player to come back weeks to a month ahead of schedule from offseason surgery. Grzelcyk returned Oct. 20 from right shoulder stabilization surgery on June 3 that was expected to keep him out five months and forward Brad Marchand returned Oct. 27 from a hip arthroscopy and labral repair on each hip that was expected to keep him out six months.
"I have incredible gratitude and I tip my hat to our medical staff, Scott Waugh and our athletic training staff here for the job they've done," Montgomery said, "not only with him, but with Marchand being back already and Grzelcyk."
"So many players ahead of schedule. Goalie
[Jeremy] Swayman
's trending ahead of schedule. That's a credit to them and the great work they do to get our players back and on the ice and ready to play and play well."
Montgomery clarified Swayman (lower body) is a "couple of days" ahead of schedule, but is not yet back on the ice. Swayman was week to week after being injured against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Nov. 1.
Asked about his quick return, McAvoy said, "I think it's testament to everybody, really, within, the docs, the trainers and everybody and obviously working hard to get back early. … It's feel, it's listening to your body, it's accomplishing things that you need to in order to return to play."
McAvoy had an NHL season-high 56 points (10 goals, 46 assists) with a career-best plus-31 rating in 78 games last season, and five assists in six playoff games. Selected with the No. 14 pick in the 2016 NHL Draft, he has 178 points (34 goals, 144 assists) in 313 games and 37 points (five goals, 32 assists) in 71 playoff games.
