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 are set to receive a lift in the coming days, as Hampus Lindholm and Charlie McAvoy were regular participants in practice Monday.

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.

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

A debate has arisen regarding whether the Boston Bruins should demote top defenseman Charlie McAvoy once he returns to the lineup. Charlie McAvoy has been out of the lineup since Jan.

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

Boston Bruins made some notable changes to their lines at Jan. 30's morning skate. View the original article to see embedded media. On offense, Elias Lindholm was moved back up to the second-line center spot,

The Boston Bruins are reeling after a 7-2 drubbing at the hands of the Buffalo Sabres on Tuesday night. However, on Wednesday, there was encouraging news about the return of one of the team’s top two defensemen.

Boston was thumped in Buffalo on Tuesday, and the return of McAvoy – out since Jan. 11 with a wrist injury – will certainly help.

The Boston Bruins and Florida Panthers could each use at least another forward before the NHL trade deadline. What are their main and secondary needs?

The Western Conference-leading Jets have won four straight after starting the current tripwith a 4-1 Tuesday win over the Montreal Canadiens and now turn their attention to clinching a season series sweep of the Bruins, who they trounced 8-1 back on Dec. 10.