FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – You don't need a public relations staff to spin the idea that a Montreal Canadens vs. Boston Bruins Winter Classic game Friday (1 p.m, NBC) is a rivalry worth watching.
Bruins vs. Canadiens is always must-see television.
"Not only do we get to play outside on a national stage," said Bruins defenseman
The Boston vs. Montreal feud is the NHL's answer to the Hatfields vs. McCoys. It's easy to come up with a long list of reasons why players on these teams have hated each other for years. Historians point back to Bruin
Today's fans probably see the feud in terms of the too-many-men-on-the-ice call against the Bruins in 1979 or the bloody 186-penalty minute game in 2011 or Montreal's
This is the eighth Winter Classic, and it seems clear that this is the best matchup that the event has known.
Putting a Bruins vs. Canadiens game outdoors in front of almost 69,000 fans in
"Playing on a stage like this is something you will remember the rest of your life," said Montreal defenseman
Pacioretty, from Connecticut, said it is overwhelming to think about what it will be like to play in this setting in an outdoor game where wind conditions, glare and temperature are a factor.
"Obviously, this is the biggest stage I've played on," he said. "Whenever the Winter Classic is on, you watch it."
No one appreciates playing in the home of the
"Usually when I'm at Gillette Stadium, I'm in the last row of the nosebleeds," Condon said.
Presuming he plays for the Canadiens, he would have one of the best seat of the house for Friday's meeting.
Condon's father, a state police officer, led the police escort for the Canadiens coming to Gillette Stadium for practice on Thursday. Condon has a Patriots-themed mask design, with
The added spice of Montreal-Boston outdoor game is that both teams are battling for a playoff spot in the hotly contested
Both teams have to guard against getting caught up in the spectacle of the outdoor game. This is far from an exhibition event.
"Our division is tight that you can't ever play loose," said Boston defenseman
Boston coach Claude Julien believes the players won't get caught up in enjoying the wonder of the event. The Bruins played at the
"I can assure you from my past experience that when the puck is dropped, both teams will be focused on what they have to do here," Julien said. "We all know how tight the standings are and where we stand with each other, and that game has great meaning to it."
Coming into the game, the Canadiens received good news when injured
Marchand apologized to his teammates and to fans for taking himself out of the game, especially given that the Bruins are already playing without injured
Everything matters when the Bruins play the Canadiens, and Marchand (15 goals) is the team's leading goal scorer. His loss seems bigger than usual.
"Anytime we play Montreal, it's a big game," Chara said "This seems like it's a bigger game."
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