The Montreal Canadiens want to return to better days, and there's no better time than Jan. 1, as Brendan Gallagher makes his return to the lineup for the Winter Classic.

Gallagher missed 17 games after blocking a shot and breaking two fingers. The Canadiens were 16-4-2 the night he went down. They were 21-15-3 to end 2015, with only two victories to show for their past 13 games.

The 23-year-old winger said all the right things about his return: It's cool to play outside in front of friends and family, he wasn't rushed and was cleared by doctors, and he only wants to help the team, in any way he can. But Gallagher's return isn't just about him - it's about the rest of his mates, too.

As NHL.com's Arpon Basu writes, the Canadiens were on something else offensively with Gallagher in the lineup, averaging 3.55 goals per game. Without Gallagher, that number's dropped to a shocking 1.82.

While Gallagher was off to a great start, with nine goals and 19 points in 22 games, it's clear Max Pacioretty and Tomas Plekanec miss him. Pacioretty had three goals in December, and Plekanec has three in 27 games since a five-goal October. The two must be overjoyed that Gallagher's back.

The top line will be reunited Friday afternoon at Gillette Stadium, meaning David Desharnais, Dale Weise, and Tomas Fleischmann will be back together, as well.

"In no way do I think I'm the answer," Gallagher said. "I just want to be part of the solution."

It's a new year, but the Canadiens want to go back. Gallagher's return means they'll get a chance.