The Bruins will be experiencing life without their best defenseman for the foreseeable future.

Coach Marco Sturm told reporters in Anaheim that Charlie McAvoy underwent facial surgery and that there is no timeline for his return. He is recuperating at home in Boston.

McAvoy was hit in the mouth with a slapshot in the second period of the Bruins’ 3-2 victory over the Canadiens in Montreal on Saturday.

It is a tough break for McAvoy. He suffered a shoulder injury in the Four Nations tournament last February that required season-ending surgery and also sparked a scary infection. He was eager to get back at it this season and assume a new leadership role with David Pastrnak and Hampus Lindholm.

He got off to a rough start in the new system under Sturm but his game was really coming on afte

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