Canadiens' Gallagher cleared to play Winter Classic

The Montreal Canadiens will get a gigantic boost to their lineup for Friday's highly anticipated showdown against the Boston Bruins in the Winter Classic.

Brendan Gallagher has been cleared to play by team doctors.

Gallagher, Plekanec and Pacioretty skating up together during this current drill

- Pierre LeBrun (@Real_ESPNLeBrun) December 31, 2015

Gallagher has missed the last 17 games following surgery to repair two fractured fingers. Montreal struggled mightily in his absence, going 5-11-1.

The 23-year-old has nine goals and 10 assists in 22 games this season.

"In no way do I think I'm the answer, I just want to be part of the solution" - Brendan Gallagher.

- Drpon Basu (@ArponBasu) December 31, 2015

The Canadiens reassigned Sven Andrighetto to the AHL's St. John's IceCaps earlier in the day to coincide with Gallagher's return.

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