Bruins to host Habs before 70,000 in next Winter Classic

The Habs and Bruins will face off in the next Winter Classic on January 1, 2016 at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, the NHL confirmed Saturday.

The outdoor encounter at the home turf of the New Englaned Patriots is expected to attract about 69,000 fans.

The Canadiens have taken part in two outdoor Heritage Classic games, including the first-ever where they beat the Oilers in Edmonton in 2008. The Canadiens lost a second one in Calgary in 2011.

This will be the Habs’ first-ever appearance at a Winter Classic.

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  Calgary Flames' Matt Stajan, left, celebrates the Flames' goal as Montreal Canadiens goalie Carey Price, right, picks himself up and teammates Jamie Wisniewski, right, and Brian Gionta look on during the second period of the NHL Heritage Classic in Calgary, Alta., Sunday, Feb. 20, 2011. The Calgary Flames beat the Montreal Canadiens 4-0. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Andre Ringuette, POOL