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FOXBORO, Mass. -- The day Boston Bruins fans have been waiting for finally has come.

The NHL Winter Classic featuring the Bruins and the rival Montreal Canadiens at Gillette Stadium will take place Friday at 1 p.m. ET.

NESN.com will provide complete in-game coverage right here with our live blog. Stay tuned throughout the game for score updates, highlights and instant analysis.

12:15 p.m. ET: Before puck drop, let's go over a few game notes.

-- First place is on the line in the Winter Classic. The winner will leapfrog the Florida Panthers. With a win, the Canadiens would overtake them by a single point, while the Bruins would move into first because of the regulation and overtime wins (ROW) tiebreaker edge over Florida.

-- Road teams are 11-3-1 in outdoor games. The Bruins are one of just two teams -- the other is the Washington Capitals from last season -- to win the Winter Classic as the home team.

-- Wes McCauley is one of the two referees. He also worked the 2013 and 2014 Stanley Cup Final.

Thumbnail photo via Greg M. Cooper/USA TODAY Sports Images