FOXBOROUGH — The much-anticipated game of the Bruins and Canadiens’ 2015-16 schedule is finally here.

In a few short hours, the Bruins and Habs will write another chapter of their historic rivalry.

Their roads to the 2016 Winter Classic has been well documented on Epix and media outlets throughout the United States and Canada. Their paths have crossed three times this year with the Canadiens holding a 2-1 advantage in the series.

The Canadiens are getting another healthy body as Brendan Gallagher will return to the lineup after recovering from hand surgery. The Bruins, however, will be without the services of two of their leading scorers: David Krejci (upper body) and Brad Marchand (serving a three-game suspension). Alex Khoklachev was recalled from Providence to help with the forward depth. To make room for Khoklachev, GM Don Sweeney sent defenseman Colin Miller down to Providence.

The Bruins and Canadiens are within a point of each other in the Atlantic Division standings entering this pivotal Winter Classic showdown. Without further adieu, here is a look at today’s Game Day preview:

Gametime: 1:00 p.m.
TV/Radio: NBC/98.5 The Sports Hub
Records: Bruins 20-12-4 (44 points), Habs 21-15-3 (45 points)
Location: Gillette Stadium

Bruins’ projected lines

Loui Eriksson-Patrice Bergeron-Seth Griffith
Matt Beleskey-Ryan Spooner-Brett Connolly
Frank Vatrano-Landon Ferraro-Alex Khoklachev
Zac Rinaldo-Max Talbot-Jimmy Hayes

Zdeno Chara-Dennis Seidenberg
Torey Krug-Adam McQuaid
Joe Morrow-Kevan Miller

Tuukka Rask
Jonas Gustavsson

Canadiens’ projected lines

Max Pacioretty-Tomas Plekanec-Brendan Gallagher
Lars Eller-Alex Galchenyuk-Daniel Carr
Tomas Fleischmann-David Desharnais-Dale Weise
Paul Byron-Torey Mitchell-Brian Flynn

Nathan Beaulieu-P.K. Subban
Andrei Markov-Jeff Petry
Alexei Emelin-Mark Barbeiro

Mike Condon
Ben Scrivens

Matchup to watch: Bergeron line vs. Beaulieu-Subban 

Without Marchand and Krejci, the Bruins top line featuring Loui Eriksson, Patrice Bergeron and Seth Griffith will be tested against the Habs top defensive pairing of Nathan Beaulieu and P.K. Subban. Eriksson, who spent most of the last month playing with Krejci and Matt Beleskey, will have a reunion of sorts with Bergeron while Griffith is just a few days removed from his recent promotion from Providence. The speedy Griffith will have some experience with him and could be the Bruins’ X factor for the Winter Classic. Against Beaulieu and Subban, Griffith, Bergeron and Eriksson will have to be at their best as the Bruins offense loses some of their best weapons.

Storyline to watch: Next man up vs. Bruins

With the recent injuries, the Bruins will have the next man up approach entering today’s showdown at Gillette. Interestingly enough, that is something the Patriots have been accustomed to with their slew of key players on the injured list, so maybe Bill Belichick gave some words of wisdom to Claude Julien about that mantra entering today’s showdown.

Bruins-Pats comparison aside, we’ll see if the Black and Gold can put the next man up philosophy to good use. Will Griffith be able to spark the Bruins with a highlight reel goal? Can Alex Khoklachev show some promise? What about the Bruins blue-line? Will they be able to slow the speedy Habs down and play a clean game in the elements? Stay tuned, this promises to be another entertaining contest as the next chapter is written of the historic Bruins-Canadiens rivalry.

From all of us at Bruins Daily, we hope you have a safe and Happy New Year. Wherever you’re watching today, we hope you enjoy every second of it!