BOSTON – The NHL’s most historic rivalry met for the 733rd time as the Montreal Canadiens took on the Boston Bruins in the 2016 NHL Bridgestone Winter Classic at Gillette Stadium. The Canadiens and Bruins have faced off the most times in NHL history, the rivalry runs deep in the two cities. Friday’s game was an opportunity for both teams to start the New Year off the right way.
The New England native Mike Condon got the start in net for the Canadiens opposed 
by Tuukka Rask for the Bruins. The Montreal Canadiens took the ice to a chorus of boos from the Boston faithful. But the Canadiens were able to dominate the decimated Bruins early.
David Desharnais silenced the Boston crowd when he tapped in a Dale Weise rebound just 1:14 into the first, Alexei Emelin was given the secondary assist. The early goal was enough to suck the energy out of Gillette and put the Canadiens in the driver seat. Montreal continued to take it to the Bruins, but Rask was absolutely brilliant in net for the Bruins.
When tested Mike Condon was up to the challenge at the other end of the ice for the Canadiens. Montreal continued to pound away on Rask, but could find a way through the Bruins net minder. The first period ended with the Canadiens leading 1-0 and out shooting the Bruins 14 to 3.
The Canadiens came back out for the second period looking to build off of their early momentum. The crowd had found a second wind when the second period started. But Montreal was able to silence them once again when they scored to take a two nothing lead.
Paul Byron scored for the Habs assisted by Brian Flynn and Mark Barberio. The Bruins looked tired and slow, while the Canadiens looked like the fresher of the two teams. As the second period wore on the Bruins were able to find some life getting chances on Condon.
The Bruins were able to put the Canadiens on their heels for part of the Second, but a combination of Condon and the defense keep the Habs in it. After each whistle the game got more and more chipper between these two old school rivals.
With the second period winding down the Canadiens were able to strike again. This time it was Brendan Gallagher batting a Max Pacioretty pass out of the air past Rask. Tomas Plekanec got the secondary assist on the goal, Gallagher was a surprise to many to be cleared after breaking two fingers a month ago.
The second period ended with the Canadiens leading the Bruins 3-0 and out shooting them 25 to 17. As the two teams returned to the ice for the third period, Montreal was looking to put the Bruins away. But the Bruins found new life in the third peppering Condon with shots, and forcing him to make some of his best saves of the game.
The Bruins were finally able to solve Condon just under four minutes into the third. Matt Belresky was able to redirect an Adam McQuaid shot past Condon to get the Bruins on the board. Ryan Spooner was given the secondary assist on the play, the goal extended Belresky’s point streak to four games.
That was all the home town crowd needed to erupt and make the atmosphere electric. The choppiness between the two teams continued to show up, as both teams were guilty of little shots after the whistle. Montreal continued to give up chances, but Mike Condon kept the puck out of the net.
Montreal was able to gain some of their momentum back, and got an odd man rush on Tuukka Rask. Brendan Gallagher made a beautiful saucer pass that landed perfectly for Max Pacioretty who made no mistake firing it past Rask. Tomas Plekanec picked up his second assist of the game on the goal.
The goal for the Canadiens put the game out of reach for the Bruins, but in true Boston fashion they continued to battle. The Bruins continued to come at Condon, but he and the Montreal defense were able to hold the Bruins off. Montreal struck again with just over two minutes left to seal the victory.
Paul Byron scored his second goal of the game, assisted by P.K. Subban and Nathan Beaulieu. As the fans were filing out of Gillette the horn sounded to end the Winter Classic.Montreal beat the Bruins pretty handy 5-1 with the final shots 30 to 28 in favor of Montreal.
Third star Matt Belesky, he was by far the best Bruins on the ice throughout the entire game, and was rewarded with a goal. Second star Mike Condon, the home town boy was able to come back home and only allow one goal on 30 shots enrollee to the victory.First star Brendan Gallagher, a surprise player from the day before he recorded a goal and assist leading the Canadiens to victory.
When asked what it meant to get this victory after their tough December P.K. Subban said, “We wanted to come out and start on the right foot. Just give ourselves a chance to win the game, and everyone was ready and was prepared and was sharp. It’s a tough game to fully focus for, you know there are a lot of distractions going on. But right from the drop of the puck we were on them, and didn’t give them a chance to breath. I thought we were just sharper today, and I think it showed.”
Desharnais offered his thoughts on the game.
“It was the biggest game of the year for us and we want to forget the month of December and it was a great stage to do that. We have momentum right now and hopefully we can keep that.”
What were your emotions after scoring just a minute into the game:
“I haven’t scored in a while and that was good. It got the team going and i’m pretty pumped about it.”
The Canadiens will return to Montreal tonight to rest up, before traveling to Philadelphia to take on the Flyers Tuesday.
Contact the writer at James.McGowan@prohockeynews.com
All images by Don.Haas@prohockeynews.com
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