Missing a red bow and festive wrapping paper, the Bruins were provided with the holiday season’s best gift: Patrice Bergeron.

But it was as if he never left.

After missing 16 games with a rib and collarbone injury, Bergeron returned to the lineup Saturday afternoon at TD Garden.

If you were expecting a rusty Bergeron centering the top line of Brad Marchand and Danton Heinen, you were completely wrong.

All Bergeron did in his highly anticipated return was score twice and add two assists.

“Yeah, he was obviously good, very good, scoring in his typical fashion around the high slot in front of the net. Real good composure on the last power play goal to sort of give us a little breathing room, thought it was a real nice play by him,” said head coach Bruce Cassidy.

“That’s where you worry a little bit with the – when you’ve missed some time is the rust and the speed of the game, are you going to rush plays? But, no he didn’t look like he didn’t miss a beat.”

It took a few shifts to realize rust wouldn’t be an issue and Bergeron was back to being Bergeron. A play started with an offensive zone faceoff win, ended with his 10th goal of the season late in the first period.

“I was very excited before the game. It’s one of those things where you get that adrenaline and nervousness right before and it’s actually a good thing, you know, I was looking forward to that for a while,” said Bergeron. “So, you know, I was very happy this morning that I was back at it.”

Bergeron’s return does so much for the team both on and off the ice. As you saw Saturday, the return of Bergeron caused a trickle-down effect.

David Krejci was moved back down to the second line, centering Joakim Nordstrom and David Pastrnak.

“I like what they give us. They’re a good line. They’re good players. We may move Pasta [Pastrnak] back up to that top line. We’ve always talked about that, but let’s take a look at this for now. Danton, if he can hold his own up there then it makes us harder to play against, so that’s the big question,” said Cassidy. “You’re playing against the other team’s, usually, top pair every night. Are you able to do that? So, we’re going to take a look at that and see if it works out.”

The Bruins relinquished leads of 1-0, and 2-1 on Saturday, but never trailed against a Predators team that has now lost 10 straight on the road. Every time the Predators would try and take momentum back the Bruins would shut it down. They seemed to have a different pep in their step. Could that have been from the high of having Bergeron back?

“Good for us to have him back, makes us that much better,” added Cassidy. “We’ve been playing well lately without him, but he just gives an emotional boost too. Just around practice yesterday, knowing he’s going to come back in the lineup, you can feel like the – we got a little more wind in our sail, so to speak.”

Bergeron’s power play strike in the third was one of those keeping momentum on their side moments, but the goal was also another milestone to check off the list as it was his 300th career goal.

Bergeron claims he had no idea.

“No. I actually didn’t know and the ref came with the puck on the bench, and he was like, “Oh it’s 300”, and I had actually no idea so I thought – I was like, “No, I don’t think it’s me. Like, someone else,” and then he was like, “Yeah, I’m pretty sure it’s you”. So, that’s how I keep up with my stats,” Bergeron said with a smile.

With 983 games under his belt, Bergeron is closing in on 1000 games. This milestone was one Bergeron admitted he knows is coming.

“Yeah, it’ll be special. I mean, growing up you’re dreaming about playing in the NHL; you don’t dream about playing 1,000 games, obviously, but once you play for a while you realize the other guys that have accomplished it and there’s not that many in history,” added Bergeron. “So, it’s a pretty special group to be a part of, so yeah, it’ll be a pretty neat feeling.”

What was so amazing about Bergeron’s efforts on Saturday was how easily Bergeron slid back into things and how quickly he was able to take the game over. Even more impressive was Bergeron doing so against the league’s second best defensive team, and a team that has some of the best speed in the game.

“You know, it shows a lot. I mean, the fact that he is able to come back and just jump into the game and get four points against a team like Nashville who is one of top teams in the league,” said Marchand who had his 12th goal of the season on Saturday. “They play very fast. Probably one of the faster games we have had all year. It’s tough to jump in after five weeks and feel good. He is an incredible leader and player and he showed that again tonight.”

The victory over the Predators was the Bruins third straight win. But more importantly it was another notch in a string of games where the Bruins have played well. I’m starting to get the sense the Bruins are about to go on one of those runs.

The return of Bergeron fueling that of course.

“Yeah, you’re not chasing the game, especially at home. You get teams on the road come in here...helped us a lot. Montreal, you’re on the road, tired. With the situation they’re in we got ahead, so that allows us to use everybody and relax and not have to squeeze our sticks so hard to score. Those things matter,” said Cassidy.

Bergeron is not the only gift the Bruins are getting here in December as Jake DeBrusk, Zdeno Chara and Kevan Miller should all be ready to go within the next week.

“Miller has not been – medically, because of his injury, it’s pretty clear cut that he will not be cleared until the Devils on the 27th, at the earliest,” said Cassidy. “Zee will not play tomorrow [Sunday]. Jake is a possibility.”

The Bruins will travel to Carolina to take on the Hurricanes Sunday afternoon.

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