Bruins’ Charlie McAvoy exits after slap shot hits mouth

MONTREAL — Boston defenseman Charlie McAvoy was hit in the mouth by a slap shot, and he left the Bruins‘ game against the Montreal Canadiens midway through the second period Saturday night and didn’t return.

With the Canadiens on a power play, Noah Dobson‘s one-timer appeared to deflect off Boston forward Mark Kastelic before hitting McAvoy.

McAvoy immediately covered his face and dropped to the ice, while a team doctor rushed from the bench to help him.

The 27-year-old American then hurried to the dressing room after bleeding on the ice. Teammate Nikita Zadorov was seen trying to retrieve lost teeth.

Boston led 2-1 when McAvoy left and went on to win 3-2. The Bruins improved to 12-8-0, winning for the eighth time in nine games.