An injury update on Matthew and Brady Tkachuk for Thursday's 4 Nations Final

Earlier this morning Boston Bruins released a statement confirming that defenseman Charlie McAvoy is undergoing testing at Mass General Hospital for an upper body injury and that he will be unavailable to play Thursday evening against Canada.

Charlie was admitted to Massachusetts General Hospital on Monday to undergo testing related to an upper-body injury sustained during the 4 Nations Face-Off and is currently being evaluated by Boston Bruins Head Team Physician Dr. Peter Asnis. He will not play for Team USA in the 4 Nations Face-Off Championship Game on Thursday at TD Garden. The Boston Bruins will provide further updates on his condition and status as soon as they become available.

NHL insider Frank Seravalli reported this that Charlie McAvoy's evening in Mass General Hospital had to do with an infection that stemmed from a minor injury.

Thankfully, it doesn't appear to be serious and there's no long-term concern for his health. His status for Thursday's championship game against Canada though is still in doubt.

From Seravalli:

Obviously this is a huge loss for USA and for the Bruins, but we just hope that whatever is keeping McAvoy out of the lineup isn't serious and that he makes a full recovery. It's worth reporting that he has undergone procedures in the past to correct an irregular heart beat, so I can't help but feel like McAvoy is, rightfully, being extra cautious with his recovery.

Incidentally, the Americans also kept captain Auston Matthews, forward Matthew Tkachuk and goaltender Connor Hellebuyck out of the lineup last night for precautionary reasons, while forward Brady Tkachuk left the game after colliding with the Swedish goal.

The younger Tkachuk left the game and did not return, but head coach Mike Sullivan said post-game that Tkachuk was held out again for "precautionary reasons."

Today, NHL insider Emily Kaplan reports that both Matthew and Brady Tkachuk are expected to play Thursday against Canada.

Matthews is also expected in the lineup.

As Kaplan reports, USA is working with the NHL to call up an injury replacement for McAvoy. At the same time though, NHL insider Frank Seravalli reports that USA has no plan to make any roster additions.

Canada, of course, was allowed to bring into Thomas Harley when Shea Theodore went down with injury, so I'm not sure why USA wouldn't be afforded the same rights? Stay tuned, this has the potential to get interesting.