Winter Classic: Canadiens top Bruins 5-1 at home of Patriots

The Montreal Forum was the Canadiens’ home for one of the most successful dynasties in professional sports.

“The fourth line they did a great job tonight, Mitchell and Byron and Flynner”, said Therrien.

“We all know what he can bring to the table and he did (Friday)”, Canadiens center David Desharnais said.

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – A large group of Boston Bruins fans were standing outside the New England Patriots’ locker room when Montreal Canadiens goaltender Mike Condon walked down the tunnel. Montreal outshot Boston 14-3 in the opening period.

“I missed seeing him out there, getting banged around and bouncing up with a smile though his bloody teeth”, said Pacioretty. I’m just trying to do anything I can to help the team right now.

Pacioretty and Gallagher took turns setting up each other for goals, while Plekanec had two assists. I wish I could have played hockey. “Everything was so flawless, the ice, the weather, the fans”. “It’s an unbelievable experience for our whole family here and to see our extended family, the Massachusetts State Police especially, and you can see they’re represented in full force out here”. After practice, captain Max Pacioretty said the team was a bit more motivated to help Condon earn the win in his hometown. “Back on October 1, I never dreamed that I would be playing in the Winter Classic”. Everybody goes back where they are supposed to be.

He also denied Patrice Bergeron from in close and turned aside 24 shots in the second and third periods after facing just three shots in the first 20 minutes. He didn’t get all of it, but it was just enough to bounce the puck into the net. “When you’ve got a guy like Carey Price, this game is obviously marked off for him”.

Tuukka Rask stopped 25 shots for the Bruins, and Matt Beleskey scored in the third period to avert the first shutout in Winter Classic history. He said he took the occasional glance at the crowd, but mainly focused on making the next save. Spooner had time and space to tee up his shot, but Condon was ready for it.

“There is nearly an insatiable appetite for these games”, Bettman said.

This was the 910th combined regular-season and playoff game between the teams, but the first held outdoors at Gillette Stadium, where the defending Super Bowl champion Patriots play their home games in the National Football League. But Weise suffered an upper-body injury in the second period, from a slash by Kevan Miller.

“I’m just so excited for him”, said Martin. “Maybe the fact that we haven’t gotten the result that we wanted over the past month or so maybe was us kind of seeing it as an opportunity to start the new year off the right way”.