The Boston Bruins and Montreal Canadiens. It’s hockey’s most historic rivalry, and of the very best in all of sports.
But over the last number of years, it hasn’t necessarily felt that way.
Due to an over saturated NHL schedule, the Original Six franchises seldom meet as often as they used to. Even in the few matchups they have had, the animosity hasn’t been nearly as intense, since the two teams have rarely been in playoff contention at the same time over the last few years.
That all changed on Saturday night when the Bruins visited the Habs at Bell Centre, as a pair of fights in the game’s opening four minutes reignited the rivalry.
Fresh off the opening draw, Boston defenseman Nikita Zadorov dropped the gloves at center ice with Montreal’s Jayden Struble.
The bigger Zadorov had
THE RIVALRY IS SO BACK 🥊
FOUR SECONDS IN AND THE GLOVES ARE OFF! pic.twitter.com/b5YLiJctI1
— NESN (@NESN) November 16, 2025
Minutes later, Tanner Jeannot squared off with Arber Xhekaj and dropped him with a heavy right hand.
Arber Xhekaj is one the toughest fighters in the entire league, and Tanner Jeannot just dropped him. pic.twitter.com/VLZOrWmuHz
— Andrew Fantucchio (@A_Fantucchio) November 16, 2025
There was nearly a third fight in the first period, but Canadiens forward Josh Anderson didn’t oblige when Mark Kastelic asked him to dance.
The atmosphere inside Bell Centre was already raucous even before the two bouts, as Boston and Montreal entered play neck and neck at the top of the Atlantic Division standings, with 22 points each.
Saturday was the first of four meetings between The Bruins and Canadiens this season. The teams will next meet on Dec. 23 at TD Garden in Boston and again on Jan. 24 before closing out the season series in Montreal on March 17.
This story will be updated
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