McAvoy returning from 7-game absence vs. Jets

Boston Bruins defenseman Charlie McAvoy will return to the lineup Thursday against the Winnipeg Jets, interim head coach Joe Sacco announced, according to Boston Sports Journal's Joe Haggerty.

McAvoy missed the previous seven games due to a nagging upper-body injury. He played 21:54 of ice time in his last game - a 4-3 overtime win over the Florida Panthers - before being placed on injured reserve on Jan. 14.

Boston went 4-2-1 in the rearguard's absence.

McAvoy enters Thursday's action with five goals and 20 points in 45 contests. He's averaging a team-high 23:41 of ice time this campaign.

The Bruins occupy the first wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference with a 25-21-6 record, though they only have a one-point lead on the Blue Jackets, and Columbus has played in two fewer games.