Boston Bruins defenseman Charlie McAvoy sprained the MCL in his left knee and will be re-evaluated in four weeks, the team announced Tuesday.

The injury occurred early in the first period of the Bruins' clash with the Montreal Canadiens on Saturday.

It's a big blow to Boston, which is already without forward Patrice Bergeron, who's expected to miss at least one more week with a fractured right foot.

McAvoy paces all rookie defensemen with 32 points in 59 games and trails only Torey Krug in scoring among Bruins defenders.

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