With Bergeron sidelined, Riley Nash filled in admirably as Boston's first-line center. In the 13 games Bergeron missed, Nash averaged a point per game with 5 goals and 8 assists, while continuing to contribute big minutes on the penalty kill and chip in on the power play.
"I thought Nasher did a phenomenal job of stepping in and showing how versatile he is," said Marchand. "He's a tremendous player and he's having a great year. It's awesome to have the depth that we had in Nasher stepping up and filling in. It was great."
Nash, who has a career high 41 points (15 goals, 26 assists) this season, will slide back into his role as the third line center, with Danton Heinen and Tommy Wingels on his flanks.
"Real impressed - well, I shouldn't say that," Bergeron said of Nash. "I've always thought he was a great player, played the right way, always on the puck, plays well defensively, but he's always contributing offensively. And this year he's taken another step that way.
"I was really happy to see that. I thought the whole team has been amazing and it's been a pleasure to watch. I kind of missed that part, not being with the guys and contributing and being there and celebrating with them."
There was plenty of celebrating, as Boston posted a 9-2-2 record with Bergeron out of the lineup - an impressive mark, but one full of areas for improvement, particularly on the defensive end. That is where Cassidy believes Bergeron's return will make an immediate impact.
"He'll reel guys in," said Cassidy, whose team allowed 38 goals during Bergeron's absence, the 2.92 goals per contest up nearly half a point from the B's season average. "His line mates, obviously, if we start to get loose. He's good at that. He's another coach on the ice. He's a respected voice in the room, when he speaks people listen."
Boston's bench boss said he does expect to limit Bergeron's minutes - mostly on the penalty kill - as he integrates back into full game action.
"He's been able to skate this week and keep up his conditioning for the most part, but I'm sure he's going to lag a little missing that much time," said Cassidy We just have to play it by ear, but I assume he'll get most of it. [The PK] would be an area that hopefully some other guys can step up in his spot."
Bergeron, on board with whatever plan Cassidy sets out for him, does believe the one silver lining in missing the last month is the rest it provided.
"It's been a month so timing and execution might not be there right away, so I'm fine with that. Whatever I'm asked to do I'll be excited and ready to go," said Bergeron. "I guess it's a little less wear and tear on the body. The other side of it, you want to be out there, be with the guys.
"The timing, the execution is going to be something that I have to find again, but I have enough time with nine games remaining before playoffs."
