Charlie McAvoy returned to the Boston Bruins lineup on Thursday.

McAvoy had been out of the lineup since Nov. 15, when he took a slapshot to the face. The star defenseman ended up needing facial surgery. After nearly a month away, McAvoy returned to the lineup on Thursday on the road when the Bruins took on the Winnipeg Jets.

In his return, McAvoy logged 24:16 of ice time and recorded an assist in the Bruins’ 6-3 win. Following the game, McAvoy said it was a joy to be back on the ice.

“A lot of fun. The guys have been playing great hockey,” McAvoy said on Thursday, as seen on NESN’s postgame show. “It is always tough to sit out, especially when they’re looking like they’re having a lot of fun and playing really good.

“It’s a joy to be back, playing with this group. We had a great gam

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