McAvoy injured his right shoulder in Team USA’s opener and a subsequent infection necessitated a hospital stay.

Star defenseman Charlie McAvoy played through a shoulder injury that later hospitalized him in Team USA's win over Canada on Saturday.

For Charlie McAvoy, the timing of his injury had to be devastating. The Bruins defenseman was playing the best hockey of his season and was a key part of Team USA, which is about to play for the championship of the NHL 4 Nations Face-Off.

The United States didn’t have to sacrifice much when looking for a replacement for injured defenseman Charlie McAvoy in the 4 Nations Face-Off final: Reigning Norris Trophy winner Quinn Hughes was ready to step in.

All of those absences were deemed "precautionary" by Team USA head coach Mike Sullivan, as was the decision to keep Brady Tkachuk off the ice during the second and third periods M

A Bruins team desperately trying to claw back into playoff positioning may not have McAvoy for the final stretch of regular-season play.

"He was diagnosed as having an infection in his right shoulder, as well as a significant injury to his (acromioclavicular) joint," the team said.

The United States didn't have to sacrifice much when looking for a replacement for injured defenseman Charlie McAvoy in the 4 Nations Face-Off final: Reigning Norris Trophy

With defenseman Charlie McAvoy out for the 4 Nations Face-off final against Canada on Thursday, head coach Mike Sullivan reassured everyone that a strong player was waiting in the wings and on the way.

Bruins coach Joe Sacco said he "wouldn’t expect (McAvoy) in the short-term" as the franchise defenseman remains hospitalized.

Boston defenseman Charlie McAvoy remains in the hospital with a “significant injury” to his right shoulder that developed an infection, the Bruins said on Wednesday, a day after he was scratched

The drama at the Four Nations Face-Off is reaching a crescendo in advance of Thursday night’s final between the U.S. and Canada. Due to Charlie McAvoy’s hospitalization for an infection, Team USA called Quinn Hughes to Boston,