Wednesday night’s game between the Bruins and Canadiens was eventful to say the least. It was Claude Julien’s first game back at TD Garden. Rene Rancourt announced his retirement. And the Bruins, along with the NHL and the city of Boston, honored Willie O’Ree on the 60th anniversary of his groundbreaking debut as the first black player in the NHL.
There was a lot to take in, and the Garden crowd responded well. Rancourt received a big hand before he performed the anthems, and Julien was given a lengthy standing ovation when the Bruins played his tribute video.