Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports

Boston Bruins winger Craig Smith is set to return to the lineup against the Colorado Avalanche Wednesday in Denver. Should he have to worry about protecting his teammate Charlie McAvoy?

That, more Bruins news and the latest from around the NHL in the latest Boston Hockey Now Bruins Daily:

Boston Bruins

In the first period of the 5-1 win for the Boston Bruins over the Colorado Avalanche on Saturday, Boston Bruins defenseman Charlie McAvoy cleared Colorado Avalanche winger Artturi Lehkonen out of the crease by slamming him down to the ice. It was a borderline penalty, but when all was said and done, any hockey lifer would view it the same way they view NFL defensive and offensive lineman going at it in the trenches.

Well, my colleague at Colorado Hockey Now sees it differently and has basically put a Reg Dunlop on Tim McCracken bounty on McAvoy as retribution for Lehkonen now being day-to-day with an upper body injury.

I love and have the utmost respect for Adrian but c’mon! Noe the less, could we see some fire works tonight if the score gets out of hand?

After missing the last three games with an upper-body injury, Boston Bruins winger Craig Smith will draw back into the lineup Wednesday night in Denver against the Colorado Avalanche.

National Hockey Now

COL: The Avalanche may want to hold back on any payback because they continue to be ravaged by injuries and will be without star forward Nathan MacKinnon for a bit now too.

PGH: The Pittsburgh Penguins overcame a bad first period and beat the Columbus Blue Jackets 4-1 on Tuesday night.

NYI: Apparently the St. Louis Blues and New York Islanders forgot how to play defense on Tuesday night?

PHI: The injury bug is biting deep into the forward group for the Philadelphia Flyers.

WSH: I interviewed Washington Capitals forward Anthony Mantha just after he was drafted by the Detroit Red Wings 20th overall in the 2013 NHL Entry Draft. Many draft gurus had him pegged as the next star power forward. Over nine years later, it seems like it’s now or never for Mantha.

DAL: The point streak is over for Dallas Stars forward Jason Robertson and the Stars lost 4-0 to the Toronto Maple Leafs.

LAK: The Los Angeles Kings rode a hot start to beat the Ottawa Senators 5-2.

SJS: Could goalie James Reimer return this week for the San Jose Sharks?

Canada Hockey Now

MTL: Of course Seattle Kraken forward Shane Wright scored his first NHL goal against the Montreal Canadiens!

More must-reads:

TODAY'S BEST
Deleted Instagram video sparks FAA investigation of Rockies amid turbulent season
Longtime NFL executive Bill Tobin dies
Avalanche goaltender confirms retirement after short, injury-marred career
Analyst insists that the Raiders like this divisive quarterback prospect
NHL approves sale, relocation of Arizona Coyotes
Eastern and Western Conference play-in teams' odds to advance take hit with brutal injuries
NFL decides fate of five players suspended for gambling
Injured Rangers ace ahead of schedule in rehab efforts
Penguins' Sidney Crosby addresses retirement, contract chatter
Warriors 'want' Klay Thompson back with team next season
Bill Belichick says he’s only coached one rookie who was NFL-ready from Day 1
Giants GM addresses Daniel Jones 'buyer’s remorse' report
76ers big man gives Knicks bulletin-board material ahead of first-round matchup
Yankees star joins elite company after latest feat
Watch: Avalanche star Nathan MacKinnon puts exclamation point on historic season
Aroldis Chapman suspended by MLB over brief exchange with umpire
Packers make important roster move just days before 2024 NFL Draft
Steelers' Russell Wilson blasted by Super Bowl champion: 'You were along for the ride' for championship
Former GM eviscerates Falcons brass for passing on Bill Belichick
Yankees' Juan Soto reportedly eyeing 'bidding war' between two teams