Bergeron missed the past 16 games with a ribs/collarbone injury sustained Nov. 16 at the Dallas Stars. The 33-year-old center has 26 points (nine goals, 17 assists) in 19 games this season.
Bergeron's return sets him up for a back-to-back after five weeks without game action. The Bruins visit the Carolina Hurricanes on Sunday.
"I don't see it as a big deal," Bergeron said. "Obviously it's going to be more about the legs than anything else and getting the rust off. I think the biggest issue with the back-to-back is going to be the legs and the conditioning."
He centered the top line with Brad Marchand and Danton Heinen at practice Friday, two days after taking part in a full practice for the first time.
David Krejci has been centering a line with Marchand and David Pastrnak. Putting Heinen with Bergeron allows the Bruins to keep Krejci and Pastrnak together and balance their lines.
The Bruins (19-12-4) are in fourth place in the Atlantic Division, three points behind the third-place Buffalo Sabres. They are 9-6-1 without Bergeron but have won their past two games, including a 3-1 victory against the Anaheim Ducks on Thursday.
Defenseman Zdeno Chara also returned to practice this week but won't play in either game this weekend, Cassidy said. Chara has missed 17 games with an MCL injury to his left leg. Next week will mark six weeks from the injury. The Bruins return from their three-day Christmas break when they host the New Jersey Devils on Thursday.
