Winter Classic 2016: Live Score, Updates, Analysis for Canadiens vs. Bruins

Montreal Canadiens 5, Boston Bruins 1

The Montreal Canadiens started 2016 by winning the 2016 Winter Classic at Gillette Stadium and moving into first place in the Atlantic Division. 

Montreal earned its second win in nine games with a 5-1 result over the rival Boston Bruins. David Desharnais, Paul Byron, Brendan Gallagher and Max Pacioretty all scored for the Canadiens on Friday.

Desharnais opened the scoring with the second-fastest goal in Winter Classic history 74 seconds into the first period. His goal set the tone for the game, which was dominated by the Canadiens for the first 30 minutes. 

Byron netted his first tally of the contest two minutes into the second period as he slammed a shot into an open net from the right side of the ice. Brendan Gallagher added a third with less than three minutes to go in the second. The goal came in Gallagher's first game back from injury. 

Matt Beleskey pulled the Bruins back into the game with a goal early in the third period, but Montreal pulled away behind tallies from Max Pacioretty and Byron. 

Montreal netminder and Massachusetts native Mike Condon made 27 saves for the Canadiens in their 22nd victory of the season.

The Canadiens, with 47 points, are now one ahead of the Florida Panthers, while Boston sits behind Montreal and Florida with 44 points. 

Follow Joe on Twitter @JTansey90.