Wednesday, the B’s were trying to become the sixth Boston team since the last title to reach the finals. Here’s a look at the five that made it — and failed to win it all — since ’72:
1 1974. In Bobby Orr’s last Stanley Cup finals appearance, the Bruins lose in six to the Flyers. In the semifinals, Boston rallies from a 2-1 series deficit by winning the final three games against Chicago by a combined score of 15-6. Gilles Gilbert sets a team postseason goaltending record with three assists.
2 1977. The Bruins sweep the Flyers to reach the Stanley Cup finals, only to be swept themselves by the Canadiens. Bobby Schmautz starts the postseason like no Bruin before or since, notching a hat trick in the first period of a quarterfinal Game 1 against the Kings.
3 1978. The B’s take the Canadiens to six games, but lose in the finals. Boston hasn’t been that close to winning a Cup since.
4 1988. The finals are memorable for the power outage in Game 4 at the old Garden, before the Oilers completed a sweep in Edmonton in the revised Game 4. This postseason will always be remembered for ending the 45-year “curse” against the Canadiens — winning the clinching Game 5 of the division finals at the Forum.
5 1990. The Garden makes more finals history: Game 1 becomes the longest ever played, with Petr Klima delivering for Edmonton at 15:13 of the third overtime.
Alas, the B’s lose in five games.
