If the Bruins are going to lock down one of the eight playoff seeds in the East, the hope rests largely on Charlie McAvoy's broad shoulders, along with those of Hampus Lindholm.

The Bruins activated top defenseman Charlie McAvoy from injured reserve Thursday, per a team announcement. The club reassigned winger Max Jones to AHL Providence to open up a roster spot.

The Boston Bruins‘ most important defenseman is set to return, as head coach Joe Sacco confirmed that Charlie McAvoy will re-enter the lineup Thursday against the Winnipeg Jets, per Scott McLaughlin of WEEI Sports Radio.

The Bruins have not had Lindholm and McAvoy anchoring their D corps together since the former suffered a lower-body injury on Nov. 12 against the Blues.

Boston Bruins defenseman Charlie McAvoy will return to the lineup Thursday against the Winnipeg Jets, interim head coach Joe Sacco announced, according to Boston Sports Journal's Joe Haggerty.McAvoy missed the previous seven games due to a nagging upper-body injury.

Auston Matthews will serve as captain for the United States in the upcoming 4 Nations Face-Off, and his team is the only one involved without a glaring injury question to answer.

The McAvoy family grew after Charlie McAvoy’s wife Kiley, gave birth the couple’s first child on Sunday morning.

McAvoy (upper body) will be back in the lineup versus Winnipeg on Thursday, Joe Haggerty of Boston Sports Journal reports.

WBZ-TV's Dan Roche caught up with Bruins defenseman Brandon Carlo, who is returning to the lineup Thursday night vs. the Jets after missing a game with an illness. Carlo discussed fellow defenseman Charlie McAvoy returning after missing seven games,

Auston Matthews will serve as captain for the United States in the upcoming 4 Nations Face-Off, and his team is the only one involved without a glaring injury question to answer.