The United States and Canada will do battle one more time in the championship game of the 4 Nations Face-Off. However, the Americans have been affected by the injury bug heading into Thursday's pivotal matchup for international supremacy.

Boston Bruins star Charlie McAvoy was hospitalized following Team ... In addition, the Americans were without Toronto Maple Leafs star Auston Matthews and Tkachuk's brother, Brady Tkachuk, a star for the Ottawa Senators, due to injuries.

World number one Aryna Sabalenka blamed a lack of focus and motivation for her last-16 defeat at the Dubai Championships, where she fell 6-3 6-2 to world number 38 Clara Tauson.

For one thing, he’s the kind of centre who is used to taking on top-line assignments, reliably defending against the league’s best. When the Bruins played the Leafs in the first round last spring, Coyle logged the most five-on-five minutes against Matthews of any Boston centre.

McAvoy injured his right shoulder in Team USA’s opener and a subsequent infection necessitated a hospital stay.

From the outset of the regular season, the Toronto Maple Leafs set out to accomplish their goals through incrementalism, rather than radical disruption.

Bruins coach Joe Sacco said he "wouldn’t expect (McAvoy) in the short-term" as the franchise defenseman remains hospitalized.

The Bruins head into Tuesday’s game against the Atlantic Division-leading Maple Leafs just 1 point out of the final wild-card spot.

Forget that the Boston Bruins have lost their past three games, five of the previous seven and 13 of 20 since New Year’s Eve. Forget that the Maple Leafs have won 10 of their past 11 against non-playoff teams,

Tuesday, 7 p.m. WHERE: TD Garden in Boston TV: TSNA RADIO: Sportsnet 590 ODDS Toronto -140, Boston +120 THE BUZZ An unusual opportunity for the Leafs to push the Bruins further behind the playoff 8 ball.

The Bruins are currently on the outside looking in at the postseason, 1 point back of the second wild card spot. Boston is 27-24-7 on the year, including an overtime victory over the Maple Leafs in their first meeting this season. The Bruins are also looking to stop a three-game losing streak.