Bergeron to miss season opener for Bruins

BOSTON -- Center Patrice Bergeron and forward David Backes did not play for the Boston Bruins in their season opener against the Nashville Predators at TD Garden on Thursday.
Bergeron (lower body) and Backes (diverticulitis) missed the morning skate at Warrior Ice Arena. Coach Bruce Cassidy said then Bergeron is day to day. The Bruins later announced Backes would be out 3-4 weeks.

Bergeron has been off the ice, with the exception of a brief participation in practice Tuesday, since Monday. Backes did not skate Wednesday, and Cassidy said after practice that he was under the weather.
"Obviously we'd love to dress the strongest lineup we can, especially veteran guys ... but one door closes, another one opens," Cassidy said. "That's the way we've got to look at it. There's opportunity for other guys. We've just got to put our best foot forward and obviously there are some good individuals out of the lineup and we have to do it more as a team tonight. That's what's in front of us."
Center Ryan Spooner was expected to replace Bergeron centering a line with Brad Marchand and Anders Bjork on the wings.
"Just going to go out there, just have some fun and just play," Spooner said. "That's kind of my plan right now."
The Bruins were also without defenseman Torey Krug, who's recovering from a fractured jaw sustained in a preseason game on Sept. 19.