NHL Network takes viewers on the ice and behind the scenes during 2016 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic coverage

SECAUCUS – With the drama building in the NHL season, NHL Network is set to provide extensive on-site coverage before and after the 2016 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic® featuring the Boston Bruins® against the Montreal Canadiens® at Gillette Stadium.

Lineup analysis, weather reports, player interviews, and game predictions will be featured throughout NHL Network's coverage, which will be anchored by Jamison Coyle, Jamie Hersch and Kathryn Tappen with insight from senior reporter EJ Hradek, 2012 Winter Classic hero Mike Rupp, Hall of Famer Scott Stevens, and 11-year goaltending veteran Kevin Weekes. NHL Network's coverage will feature outdoor on-ice demonstrations explaining how players can use the weather conditions to their advantage, plus the different styles teams have to play in order to be successful outside.

Live coverage from Gillette Stadium begins with EJ Hradek co-hosting NHL Live Powered by Constellation Energy this Wednesday at 5:00 p.m. ET. NHL Tonight™ will cover the Bruins and Canadiens practices, plus report on the first-ever Outdoor Women's Classic featuring the Boston Pride (NWHL) vs. Les Canadiennes (CWHL) and the 2016 NHL Winter Classic Alumni Game presented by Molson Canadian on Thursday starting at 11:30 a.m. ET. On New Year's Day, January 1, coverage of the 2016 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic® will begin live at 11:00 a.m. ET and return following the game with highlights, interviews and analysis.

Leading up to the 2016 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic®, NHL Network remains the exclusive United States home of the International Ice Hockey Federation World Junior Championship being played in Helsinki, Finland. Team USA's next two games will be against Switzerland this Wednesday, December 30 live at 1:00 p.m. ET, and against Denmark on Thursday, December 31 at 9:00 a.m. ET. The World Junior Championship game schedule on NHL Network is available here.

As the calendar turns to 2016, NHL Network's January game schedule will showcase 12 different teams, beginning with the New York Islanders visiting the Pittsburgh Penguins this Saturday, January 2 at 7:00 p.m. ET, live from CONSOL Energy Center. NHL scoring-leader Patrick Kane and the Chicago Blackhawks will be featured four times in January, starting with a matchup against the Ottawa Senators this Sunday, January 3 at 7:00 p.m. ET, live from the United Center. January will also feature the top two Metropolitan division teams facing off, when the surging Washington Capitals, who have won seven straight games, host the New York Rangers on Sunday, January 17 at 5:00 p.m. ET, live from the Verizon Center. NHL Network's complete January live game schedule is available here.

NHL Network will keep fans updated through Facebook and Twitter by posting photos, videos, quotes and information from its World Junior Championship and 2016 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic® coverage. NHL Network will also have a fan-friendly activation at the 2016 NHL Winter Classic® Spectator Plaza, a free fan festival. NHL Network and XFINITY are teaming up for a photo op featuring fans calling the action from the NHL Network set. Fans receive a souvenir print and digital copy of their photo, as well as a free NHL Network foam puck. The two-day festival is open this Thursday, December 31 from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. ET, and again on Friday, January 1 from 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. ET at Lot 22 at Gillette Stadium.

NHL Network 2016 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic® Programming Schedule At Gillette Stadium:

Wednesday, December 30:

5:00 p.m. ET: NHL Live Powered by Constellation Energy

Thursday, December 31:

11:30 a.m. ET: NHL Tonight Bruins Practice Day Presented by Reebok

12:30 p.m. ET: NHL Tonight Canadiens Practice Day Presented by Reebok

1:30 p.m. ET: NHL Tonight 2016 Winter Classic Practice Day Recap Presented by Reebok

2:30 p.m. ET: NHL Tonight At The 2016 Winter Classic

5:30 p.m. ET: NHL Tonight: At The 2016 Winter Classic

Friday, January 1:

11:00 a.m. ET: NHL Tonight 2016 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic® Pre-game Show

Following the Winter Classic: NHL Tonight 2016 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic® Postgame Show