ELMONT, N.Y. — Heading into the 2021-22 campaign, Charlie McAvoy had Dec. 16 circled on his calendar.
At that point, he expected to once again meet up with friends and family during another return home to his childhood home in Long Beach, New York. And this time, they’d all get together at UBS Arena, the Islanders’ sparkling, state-of-the-art facility.
But the Boston Bruins hit a road bump along the way. The COVID-ridden bunch couldn’t field a full 20-man roster during their first visit to the Isles’ new shrine.
Given the circumstances, the Bruins put forth a decent effort in that 2-0 setback.