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Montreal Canadiens blast past Boston Bruins in Winter Classic

By Ben Reynolds

Friday 1 January 2016 23:09, UK

Brendan Gallagher scores on his return to the team after 17 games out with two broken fingers
Image: Brendan Gallagher scores on his return to the team after 17 games out with two broken fingers

The Montreal Canadiens put in a dominant performance to record a 5-1 win over the Boston Bruins in the NHL Winter Classic in Foxboro, Massachusetts.

The home of the NFL's New England Patriots was transformed for the traditional New Year's Day fixture which sees one regular season game played outside with teams wearing retro uniforms. 

And it was a Boston native who proved the Bruins' principal obstacle, Mike Condon stopping 27 shots while Paul Byron scored twice for the Canadiens.

Fans watch the eighth edition of the NHL Winter Classic
Image: Fans watch the eighth edition of the NHL Winter Classic

Brendan Gallagher, back in the side after two broken fingers, had a goal and an assist for Montreal while David Desharnais and Max Pacioretty also scored for the visitors.

Tuukka Rask stopped 25 shots for the Bruins, but could not keep out Matt Beleskey's third-period shot and ensure the first shutout in Winter Classic history, although the four-goal margin was the largest for the event since it began in 2008.

Mike Condon makes a glove save on a shot from Boston's Ryan Spooner in the second period
Image: Mike Condon makes a glove save on a shot from Boston's Ryan Spooner in the second period

Since the first was held in Buffalo in 2008, the league has expanded it's outdoor regular-season schedule with the "Stadium Series" of games and NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said this week the league plans to continue them.

"There is almost an insatiable appetite for these games," Bettman said. "These games are on our schedule as we are projecting years out."

Dale Weise shoots as goaltender Tuukka Rask and Kevan Miller look to block the puck
Image: Dale Weise shoots as goaltender Tuukka Rask and Kevan Miller look to block the puck

The win was just Montreal's third in 13 games, but their eighth straight road win against Boston. 

Both goalies paid tribute to the Patriots and quarterback Tom Brady on their masks, and coach Claude Julien worked the Bruins bench in a hoodie straight from the wardrobe of his NFL counterpart, Bill Belichick.

"We wanted to pay tribute to their success and some of their players," said Rask.

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