The Boston Bruins and Montreal Canadiens first met on the ice in 1924, then renewed acquaintances another 908 times. No two teams have met in the postseason more often, and the next edition of their storied rivalry will go down outdoors at Gillette Stadium on New Year's Day.
Looking back on the events that made this Original Six matchup great, here are the three greatest moments from the rivalry between the Bruins and Canadiens.
1952 - Richard returns to score winner
(Courtesy: Montreal Canadiens)
A collision during the second period of Game 7 of the Stanley Cup semifinals left Maurice "Rocket" Richard a little worse for wear. Trying to split a pair of Bruins, Richard was hit in the chest and took a stick to the face. On his way to the ground, his head bounced off the knee of an opposing player, then hit the ice, rendering him unconscious.
Bloodied and bandaged, Richard returned to the bench during the third period and would score the game-winning goal against Bruins goaltender "Sugar" Jim Henry by skating up the right wing, faking a shot on the short side, cutting across the goalmouth, and firing the puck into the far corner.
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Henry later greeted Richard in the handshake line with clear appreciation of his peer, leading to perhaps the most iconic photo to come from the rivalry.
1979 - Too many men
There may be no more memorable penalty in NHL history than the one the Bruins took in Game 7 of the 1979 Stanley Cup semifinals.
With Boston leading 4-3 at the Montreal Forum in the closing minutes of the game, the Bruins appeared poised to end the Canadiens' run at a fourth consecutive Stanley Cup. But with 2:34 to play, the Bruins were caught with too many men on the ice.
Playing with the man advantage, Guy Lafleur blasted a one-timer past Gilles Gilbert to tie the game and force overtime, where Montreal won on a goal by Yvon Lambert. From there, the Habs made short work of the New York Rangers to win their fourth consecutive Stanley Cup. Not long after, Bruins general manager Harry Sinden fired head coach Don Cherry.
2011 - Seventh heaven for Horton
Entering the 2011 playoffs, the Bruins' Stanley Cup drought was at 39 years. Their prospects of ending that streak didn't look great when the team lost back-to-back games on home ice to start the postseason, scoring only one goal on Carey Price.
Boston won the next three games, but Montreal won Game 6 at home to force a deciding Game 7. The Bruins led 3-2 in the closing moments of regulation when P.K. Subban rifled home a shot from the point that sent the contest to overtime.
With two overtime wins in the series under their belts to that point, the Bruins would emerge from the extra frame victorious once again thanks to a laser from the high slot off the stick of Nathan Horton. That victory propelled the Bruins to their sixth Stanley Cup.
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