Bruins vs. Canadiens: Boston's 11 Best Moments of the Last 25 Years

The Boston Bruins and the Montreal Canadiens are the two greatest rivals in the history of the NHL, and have had some epic battles for generations.

The two teams play each other for the first time this season, Thursday at the TD Garden in Boston.

Their last meeting was Game 7 of the Eastern Conference quarterfinals in last year's playoffs, which the Bruins won 4-3 in overtime, en route to a Stanley Cup championship.

Let's take a look at the 11 greatest Bruins moments in the last 25 years from the NHL's best rivalry.

Bruins Beat Canadiens in 1988 Adams Division Final

Cam Neely led the Bruins to a huge Game 5 and series-clinching win in the 1988 Adams Division Final against the Canadiens in Montreal.

The Bruins would advance to the Stanley Cup Final where they would lose to the Edmonton Oilers.

Milan Lucic Destroys Mike Komisarek

For some reason, Mike Komisarek wanted to fight Bruins power forward Milan Lucic, which is beyond me. You'd have to be insane to beg for a bout with Lucic.

In the end, Lucic shows Komisarek that the fight was a bad idea for the Canadiens defenseman.

Bruins Win an Epic Game 6 and Force Deciding Game 7 in 2008 ECQF

The Bruins forced a Game 7 in the 2008 ECQF with a dramatic 5-4 Game 6 win in Boston, after the B's were down 3-1 in the series.

However, Montreal would win at home in Game 7 to eliminate Boston from the playoffs.

Bruins Sweep Canadiens out of 2009 Playoffs

The Bruins were the Eastern Conference's No. 1 seed in the 2009 playoffs, and swept the Canadiens out of the playoffs in four games, winning Game 4 in Montreal.

Bruins and Canadiens Play the Best Regular Season Game in Recent Memory

Very few regular season games in the last 10 years have been as good as this matchup between the Bruins and Canadiens back in February.

The Bruins won 8-6, and there were many fights. Unbelievable excitement throughout.

Bruins Dominate Candiens 7-0 in 2011 Regular Season

The Bruins did not play well against the Canadiens in the regular season last year, but on March 24 the Bruins beat their rivals 7-0.

It was a huge statement game for Boston.

Michael Ryder Wins Game 4 of 2011 ECQF in OT

Michael Ryder was often criticized for his inconsistent play during his Bruins career, but in last year's series with the Canadiens, Ryder had some epic moments, including this Game 4 overtime winner.

Michael Ryder Makes a Glove Save!

Michael Ryder made an amazing glove save in Game 5 of the 2011 ECQF when Tim Thomas wandered too far from the Bruins net.

Ryder saved a goal, and maybe the series for Boston.

Tim Thomas Makes Amazing Save in Game 5 of 2011 ECQF

Tim Thomas' best save of his historic 2010-11 season came at the right time, in double overtime of Game 5 of the 2011 Eastern Conference quarterfinals.

Thomas stops a Canadiens 2-on-1 that if Montreal had converted would have given them a 3-2 series lead going home for Game 6.

Nathan Horton Wins Game 5 of 2011 ECQF in Double Overtime

The Bruins never led in the 2011 ECQF against the Canadiens until winger Nathan Horton scored the winner in double overtime of Game 5, his first of several game-winning goals in the 2011 NHL playoffs.

Nathan Horton Wins Game 7 of 2011 ECQF in OT

Nathan Horton won the 2011 ECQF for the Bruins in Game 7 when he scored in overtime.

It was Horton's second overtime-winning goal of the series.

The Bruins went on to play the Vancouver Canucks in the Stanley Cup Final a few weeks later, and won the Cup.

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Nicholas Goss is a Boston Bruins featured columnist for Bleacher Report and was the organization's on-site reporter for the 2011 Stanley Cup Finals in Boston.