FOXBORO, Mass. — There’s no better rivalry in the history of hockey than the Boston Bruins and Montreal Canadiens. They’ve played more than 900 times, have squared off in a record 34 playoff series and own a combined 30 Stanley Cup championships.
These Original Six teams have met on just about every stage imaginable, but one setting they’ve never played in is outdoors. That will change on New Year’s Day, when the Bruins host the Habs in the 2016 Winter Classic at Gillette Stadium.
“This Winter Classic brings to Gillette an Original Six rivalry that dates back to 1924,” Boston Bruins owner Jeremy Jacobs said Wednesday during a press conference at Gillette. “No two teams in the NHL have played each other more times than the Canadiens and Bruins. So, it’s only fitting that these two teams continue this rivalry on one of the NHL’s biggest stages.
“I don’t think the NHL could have delivered a better matchup to our fans in New England. This will be a historic Winter Classic, and playing in this magnificent stadium gives us the opportunity to expose so many of our fans to the game of professional hockey in the great outdoors. … I look forward to Gillette being a sea of Black and Gold on Jan. 1.”
The Bruins beat the Philadelphia Flyers 2-1 in overtime in the 2010 Winter Classic at Fenway Park, and Boston will become the first team to host the league’s marquee regular-season event twice. The only logical opponent was the Habs.
“The rivalry between these two Original Six teams and historic franchise is like no other in sports,” Canadiens owner Geoff Molson said. “… In our 106 years in the NHL, we’ve played the Bruins 34 times in the playoffs, and our fans, and the Boston Bruins fans, are so fortunate to have a great rivalry.”
The Canadiens will make their Winter Classic debut, although they did play in the 2003 and 2011 Heritage Classic outdoor games. Montreal also will be the second Canadian franchise to participate in the event. Bruins-Canadiens will be the third matchup featuring two Original Six teams and the first since 2014.
“It’s very exciting,” Bruins forward Patrice Bergeron said. “We all know about the Patriots and how successful they are. Being here and having a chance to play on their field in an outdoor game — which brings a lot of memories from your childhood — it’s always something very special.
“I’m excited about that game and looking forward to it.”
Thumbnail photo via Twitter/@NickGossNESN
