McAvoy out for Bruins against Sabres, could be back for Winter Classic

BOSTON -- Charlie McAvoy has been ruled out and forward Brad Marchand has been deemed unlikely for the Boston Bruins game against the Buffalo Sabres on Saturday at KeyBank Center (7 p.m. ET; MSG-B, NESN, NHL.TV).

The defenseman (lower body) has been placed on injured reserve, retroactive to after the Bruins' 5-3 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes on Dec. 23, which means he could be eligible for the Winter Classic.
The Bruins face the Chicago Blackhawks on Jan. 1 in South Bend, Indiana, at Notre Dame Stadium (1 p.m. ET; NBC, SN, TVAS).
Marchand is a possibility for the game against Buffalo, but coach Bruce Cassidy said he would probably not play against the Sabres. Cassidy said Marchand had an upset stomach on Thursday.
"Marchand] was not feeling well going into the game yesterday, and then late in the game he left with about a minute to go," Cassidy said. "Wasn't feeling well today again. We'll have a much better idea on him tomorrow. Doesn't look likely for tomorrow would be my guess."
Marchand took two big hits in the
[Bruins' 5-2 loss
to the New Jersey Devils on Thursday, including one by Travis Zajac with 1:12 to play in the third period. It was after that hit that Marchand left the ice.
McAvoy and Marchand will be traveling with the team to Buffalo, and from there to South Bend, where a determination could be made about their availability for the Winter Classic.
McAvoy missed 20 games from Oct. 20 to Dec. 4. with a concussion.
The Bruins got back forwards Patrice Bergeron and Jake DeBrusk and defensemen Zdeno Chara and Kevan Miller last week.