NHL teams
Joe McDonald, ESPN Staff Writer 8y

Dennis Seidenberg returns from back surgery, debuts vs. Avs

NHL, Boston Bruins

BOSTON -- After missing the start of the 2015-16 season while recovering from back surgery, Bruins defenseman Dennis Seidenberg returned to the lineup Thursday in a 3-2 loss to the Colorado Avalanche at TD Garden.

Seidenberg had surgery on Sept. 24 and was expected to miss at least eight weeks, but he returned a week earlier than planned. He was paired with fellow defenseman Colin Miller at the start of the game and played 15 1/2 minutes, registering two blocked shots.

With Boston holding a 2-0 lead at 7:44 of the first period, Seidenberg was on the receiving end of a solid body check into the corner boards by Colorado's Cody McLeod. Seidenberg quickly bounced back to his feet, while teammate Tyler Randell jumped in and dropped the gloves with McLeod. Along with five minutes for fighting, Randell was also given a two-minute penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct for defending his teammate.

Despite numerous injuries during his tenure in Boston, Seidenberg, 34, has shown the ability to return from setbacks sooner than expected.

"He's always kept himself in good shape," Bruins coach Claude Julien said. "Some [players] heal quicker than others, and he's one of those that's in great shape and he does heal quicker than others. ... Give the guy credit, he always works hard to get back, to be in top shape, and he's done that again this time."

After suffering a knee injury during the 2013-2014 season, Seidenberg was one of two Bruins players to play in all 82 games last season. In 697 career NHL games, he has 38 goals and 174 assists for 212 points, including a plus-24 rating.

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