Horrific moment defenseless Bruins star Charlie McAvoy is struck in the face by flying puck

Horrifying scenes unfolded during the Boston Bruins' game against the Montreal Canadiens Saturday night when Charlie McAvoy was hit in the mouth by a wayward puck. 

The Bruins defenseman exited the 3-2 win over Montreal after he was left floored by a powerful slapshot from Noah Dobson midway through the second period.

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

McAvoy immediately covered his face and dropped to the ice in apparent agony, 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, while teammate Nikita Zadorov was seen trying to retrieve lost teeth.

Boston coach Marco Sturm said after the game that McAvoy was 'doing OK' and undergoing testing.

'Try to get him home as soon as possible, hopefully tonight with us, but other than that, hopefully he will be OK,' Sturm said.

The injury raises concerns for Team USA ahead of the upcoming 2026 Winter Olympics with four other American stars - Stanley Cup champion Matthew Tkachuk Brady Tkachuk and two of the Hughes brothers, Quinn and Jack - also currently sidelined. 

McAvoy, who was unable to finish competing in the 4 Nations Face-Off at the beginning of the year due to another injury sustained at Montreal's Bell Center, was one of the first six players named to the Team USA's Olympic roster. 

'Praying for him everything's going to be fine,' Bruins forward David Pastrnak said. 'I haven't heard anything yet. Hopefully, he's going to be all right. It's a tough break, so a very tough moment.'

Canadiens forward Cole Caufield had been skating behind McAvoy when he was struck and described the incident as 'terrible.' 

'It's a very scary part of the game, and I just really hope he's OK,' Caufield said. 'That was tough to see, and I wish him the best.'