McAvoy completes long road back to lineup

TAMPA — After nearly two months on the shelf with a concussion, Charlie McAvoy returned to action yesterday for the Bruins.

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McAvoy was activated off injured reserve in the afternoon, took warmups and was in the lineup last night against the Tampa Bay Lightning for the first time since Oct. 18.

It has been a long road back for the second-year defenseman, who was dealing with a concussion for the first time in his young career.

“At times, it can really consume you,” McAvoy said last Saturday, speaking to reporters for the first time since leaving the lineup. “Being my first time going through it, I’ve felt certain emotions with it. And it’s really tough. But I’m fortunate to have such a good support system. Obviously my family, they’re always there for me, but just the pointers I’ve gotten from guys like (Patrice Bergeron) and guys on the team who have gone through concussions. (General manager) Don Sweeney and all the doctors have kept me in great spirits, acknowledging that this is my first time going through this and it’s new to me. But it’s been an educational process for me. Things are going well and I’m so excited to get back with the team.”

McAvoy was paired with John Moore in the game. With McAvoy’s return, Jeremy Lauzon was a scratch. Also back in the lineup was Steven Kampfer, who’d been a healthy scratch in four of the previous five games.

And with the return of McAvoy, Connor Clifton was returned to Providence and Kevan Miller, on the shelf with a larynx injury, was placed on IR.

JFK back in

Bruce Cassidy is giving Jakob Forsbacka Karlsson another try at center.

After getting a shot to center the top line between Brad Marchand and David Pastrnak, he was dropped down the lineup in favor of Colby Cave during the Nov. 26 game in Toronto and had been a healthy scratch for the three games after that.

What does he hope to see from the talented but thus far underwhelming rookie?

“Just a little more consistency in every area. A little harder on pucks, a little harder in the faceoff circle,” Cassidy said. “I thought his 200-foot game was generally very accountable, so he’s going to need that. He’s probably going to get matched up. They’ll get last change. I don’t mind him against a good player. We saw that. He just has to do that every night, so we’re giving him another chance.”

Cassidy would also like to see more urgency in the 22year-old Swede.

“He’s a pretty introverted kid. But we’re not trying to change his personality. It is what it is,” the coach said. “But just a little bit about his behavior on the ice. Just a little more assertive when the puck drops. Be whoever you need to be from 10:30 at night till the next morning but then in practice, just get that engine revving a little more. That’s kind of what we’re trying to change in him and hopefully that will lead to more competitiveness.”

JFK was set to center a line with wingers Ryan Donato and Noel Acciari. He had two goals and was minus-2 in nine games going into last night.

“The biggest part for this game is to help the team win. That’s what you always try to accomplish. But for me personally, I want to play my game, move my feet and play a good, two-way game,” Forsbacka Karlsson said.

Star gets turn

The Bruins claimed forward Gemel Smith off waivers from Dallas. The 5-foot11, 195-pounder had two goals and an assist in 14 games for the Stars. Smith, who possesses good speed, had 6-5-11 totals for the Stars last year . . . .