Bruins' Bergeron makes season debut vs. Canucks

On the heels of losing their No. 1 goalie to a concussion, the Boston Bruins have their top centerman back in the lineup, as Patrice Bergeron is making his 2017-18 debut Thursday against the Vancouver Canucks.

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Bergeron, who underwent offseason hernia surgery, had been dealing with a lower-body injury that had kept him out of action for the start of this season.

Forward David Backes also makes his 2017-18 debut Thursday, as the forward has finally recovered from a bout of diverticulitis.

While the Bruins have struggled out of the gate, the return of Bergeron and Backes are two big additions to Boston's forward group and will go a long way in helping the Bruins turn their season around.