The 2016 Winter Classic will take place on Jan. 1 as Gillette Stadium in Foxborough plays host to the Boston Bruins and Montreal Canadiens, a game that will be broadcast on 7 NBC at 1 p.m. EST.
One of the most fierce rivalries in sports has plenty of compelling storylines. Here’s a breakdown of the game, by the numbers (all data provided by NHL Communications):
1 The Montreal Canadiens will be making their first appearance in the NHL Winter Classic. The team has previously participated in two outdoor NHL® regular-season games: the 2003 Molson Canadian Heritage Classic vs. Edmonton at Commonwealth Stadium and the 2011 Tim Horton’s NHL Heritage Classic™ vs. Calgary at McMahon Stadium.
2 The Boston Bruins will be playing in their second NHL Winter Classic. They will become the first team to host the event twice after hosting the 2010 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic at Fenway Park, where they defeated the Philadelphia Flyers, 2-1, in overtime.
2 On Dec. 31, there will be two games played on Gillette Stadium’s outdoor rink as part of the 2016 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic festivities: the first-ever Outdoor Women’s Classic presented by Scotiabank between the Boston Pride of the National Women’s Hockey League and Les Canadiennes of the Canadian Women’s Hockey League at 2 p.m. ET; and the NHL Winter Classic Alumni Game presented by Molson Canadian between the Montreal Canadiens Alumni and Boston Bruins Alumni at 3:30 p.m. ET.
4 Players on the Bruins’ active roster who participated in the 2010 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic at Fenway Park: Patrice Bergeron, Zdeno Chara, David Krejci and Tuukka Rask (DNP). In addition, Max Talbot participated in the 2011 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic as a member of the Pittsburgh Penguins and Matt Beleskey played in the 2014 Coors Light NHL Stadium Series™ as a member of the Anaheim Ducks.
7 Seven players on the Canadiens’ active roster have played in a regular-season outdoor NHL game, including six who skated in the 2011 Tim Hortons NHL Heritage Classic™ at McMahon Stadium: David Desharnais, Lars Eller, Max Pacioretty, Tomas Plekanec, Carey Price and P.K. Subban. In addition, defenseman Andrei Markov also played for the Canadiens in the 2003 Molson Canadian Heritage Classic, the first regular-season outdoor game in NHL history.
8 Number of hours the 2016 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic Spectator Plaza will be open. Fans of all ages are welcome to join the NHL and its corporate partners at Gillette Stadium Lot 22 for a free fan festival with hockey-themed attractions, music and fun. Spectator Plaza will be open on Thursday, Dec. 31, 2015 (11:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. ET) and Friday, Jan. 1, 2016 (9 a.m. – 1 p.m. ET).
9 Number of head-to-head Game 7s played between the Bruins and Canadiens, the most in North American professional sports.
10 Number of stories that Gillette Stadium’s signature lighthouse in the north end zone rises above the ice rink.
11 Number worn by Bruins forward Jimmy Hayes, who is from Dorchester, Mass., Boston’s largest neighborhood.
15 All time, there have been 15 regular-season outdoor NHL games contested. Of those 15 games, eight have been hosted in football venues and seven have been hosted in baseball stadiums.
19 Average low temperature, in degrees Fahrenheit, for Foxborough, Mass. on January 1, according to weather.com.
32 Number worn by Canadiens forward Brian Flynn, who is from Lynnfield, Mass., a suburb of Boston.
37 Average temperature in degrees Fahrenheit at puck drop for the seven NHL Winter Classic® games (2008 – 31.1°, 2009 – 31.9°, 2010 – 39.6°, 2011 – 51.7°, 2012 – 41°, 2014 – 13°, 2015 – 37°).
37 Average high temperature, in degrees Fahrenheit, for Foxborough, Mass. on January 1, according weather.com.
53 Length, in feet, of the world’s largest mobile rink refrigeration unit, specially built for outdoor games conducted by the NHL.
110 A total of 110 skaters and goaltenders have played for the Bruins and Canadiens (none active in the NHL). Only one – forward Michael Ryder – played at least 200 games with both franchises.
120 Recycled Bridgestone tires used to make the rubber matting surrounding the Bryan McGonagle Street Hockey rink in Charlestown, Mass., which was recently renovated as part of the 2016 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic Legacy Initiative powered by Constellation. In addition, the Bruins, the city of Boston, the NHL and its partners donated a new scoreboard, rink boards, team benches, spectator seating, goalie nets, and 10 sets of new street hockey equipment; as well as new light poles and LED lighting fixtures that will allow the community to use the rink in the evenings.
160+ Approximate number of countries and territories that will carry the 2016 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic game broadcast.
177 Total number of Stanley Cup® Playoff games played between the Bruins and Canadiens, the most in NHL history.
186 Gallons of clam chowder that will be served to fans at Gillette Stadium on New Year’s Day.
243 Number of ice pans under the main rink at Gillette Stadium, each measuring 30” x 340” in size.
300 Ton capacity of refrigeration trailer that will keep the ice cool at Gillette Stadium.
307 Approximate number of miles that separate Montreal and Boston.
350 Gallons of paint used to make the Gillette Stadium ice white.
481 Players and head coaches who have participated in the League’s 15 regular-season outdoor games to date.
732 Including three matchups from this season, the number of all-time regular season meetings between the Bruins and the Canadiens, the most in NHL history. The Bruins (272-348-112) have earned 656 points and the Canadiens (357-265-110) have earned 824 points in these meetings.
909 The total number of regular-season and Stanley Cup playoff games played between the Bruins and Canadiens entering the 2016 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic.
1,000 The number of gallons of water the NHL will restore for every fan that texts "NHL" to 77177, a pledge to conserve water this holiday season (or on New Year’s Day or during the NHL Winter Classic). The NHL supports the Change the Course campaign, a partnership with National Geographic, Bonneville Environmental Foundation and Participant Media. Join the effort, learn more at http://www.changethecourse.us/.
2,000 Weight, in pounds, of Italian sausage that fans at Gillette Stadium will eat at the 2016 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic.
2002 Year Gillette Stadium was opened.
3,000 Gallons of coolant used to freeze the Gillette Stadium rink.
11,306 Square footage of the two high-definition video boards at Gillette Stadium. It would take 1,700 37” TVs to fill the video board in the south end zone, which at 45’ x 100’ is the largest HDTV video screen in an outdoor NFL stadium.
32,600 The thread count of the embroidery on the official 2016 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic logo, which will appear on 10,857 tuques available for purchase at Gillette Stadium.
413,548 Total spectators in attendance at the first seven NHL Winter Classic games.
For more information on the game, click here.
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