Montreal F Gallagher cleared to play in Winter Classic

“The unfortunate part is that I think we played one of our probably worst games at the worst time”, offered the Bruins bench boss on the teams shellacking. “I think that was the main problem, we just didn’t help each other out and that’s why we didn’t create anything offensively and we lost”. You could tell in the dressing room, we all looked at each other and said: ‘Listen, we’re going to enjoy this a lot more if we win it. So let’s give ourselves a chance to win this, ‘ and that’s what we did today.

AROUND THE BOARDS: Organizers were fortunate that Mother Nature co-operated for this one. Montreal has played in an outdoor game as well; they participated in the NHL Heritage Classic twice in 2003 and 2011. “Everything was so flawless, the ice, the weather, the fans”.

“It’s easy to give the obvious guys credit but I’m so proud of the guys most people aren’t talking about”, said captain Max Pacioretty.

The ice at Gillette looks better today. Even with the Habs old timers falling short in a shootout, something stuck out to me that made the score irrelevant.

If not for a string of sensational saves from Rask – most notably a diving stop on Dale Weise – the Bruins could have easily found themselves trailing by a touchdown after two.

During the lead-up to the Winter Classic, P.K. Subban said the game would be a “perfect fit” for Brendan Gallagher’s return to the Canadiens lineup. Still, fans say the Winter Classic is more than just a game. “This is a great souvenir for players and all”, he said. “And we’re pretty successful so that the fact that we get Gally back, we’re able to get that chemistry with even, not only the Plekanec’s line but with David Desharnais’ line and Chucky, they’re doing some good things, too”.

With Canadiens No. 1 goaltender Carey Price sidelined with a lower-body injury, Condon has been given the nod between the pipes. The Bruins are three points back, but they also hold three games in hand. “I’m a huge fan of his, huge fan of this organization, and I’m just happy to pay respect to them on the ice”. He’s fortunate he didn’t get more from Stephane Quintal because it’s the fourth time he’s been suspended. That game would be part of the Leafs’ 100th anniversary festivities, and surely such an angle would be played up, especially with the game taking place in Canada for the first time. Fifteen seconds later, David Desharnais scored and the game was over. It all makes sense. Quarterback Tom Brady and coach Bill Belichick actually signed the mask Thursday and Condon wore it during the game.

“Well you know, we were trying out there and sometimes you just don’t have it”, Rask said.

Despite having the advantage of the Boston faithful behind them, the Bruins came out of the gates flat in what was an extremely one-sided first period. The rendition was strong…

Conversely, the Habs are 17-4-2 this season when he plays.

“We couldn’t seem to find our game”, said Bruins coach Claude Julien. “I wasn’t looking to fight Hayes but I didn’t want to back down, either. We were second on every one of them and you can’t get any pucks on net if you don’t have the puck, so that was basically the reason why”. “They were frustrated at the end and that’s to be expected”. “I just wanted to honor him”, Julien said on NBC of the Patriots coach.