The Boston Bruins have not won the Stanley Cup since 1972 when they beat the Rangers. Bobby Orr scored his second Cup-winning goal in three years and the Bruins’ fans have had to be content with that memory.

So, too, has Ray Bourque had to be content. Despite an All-Star career, the closest he has been to the Cup was in 1990. The Edmonton Oilers, without Wayne Gretzky, beat the Bruins in five.

With Boston’s 4-2 series win over Carolina, the Bruins move to the second round of the playoffs for the first time since 1994. Now all the Bruins have to do is beat Dominik Hasek, arguably the world’s best goaltender. They can do that.

Boston lives off its tenacious style of play. The Bruins will go to the net and that is the only way to beat Buffalo and Hasek. The addage about Hasek is, “If he can see the puck, he can stop the puck.”

Traffic in front of Hasek, hoping to create rebound chances, is the best means of scoring off him. Hasek can be rattled if opponents get too close. The Bruins’ “drive the net” style gives them a solid chance to upset Buffalo in this second round.

The Bruins’ win over Carolina, while an upset according to the seedings, is not a surprise. Pittsburgh’s win over New Jersey is a shock. More shocking was the play of Devils’ goaltender Martin Brodeur. His save percentage was at the bottom for playoff net-minders.

Philadelphia’s ongoing internal strife and John Vanbiesbrouck’s shaky outings against Toronto were not unexpected. With Eric Lindros out with a collapsed lung, the Flyers ran out of gas. They are a talented team in a mess.

General Manager Bobby Clarke restructured the team during the season. It didn’t work. His job is on the line. The same holds for coach Roger Neilson. Lindros’ one-year contract is up, and will he ever be able to play again?

Toronto vs. Pittsburgh is a tossup. The Pens are believing, but how long can Jagr play hurt? Goaltenders Tom Barrasso and Curtis Joseph will decide this series.

In the West, a renewal of the Detroit-Colorado war. Detroit has been idle for eight days, way too long to keep its game crispness at an apex. The Wings played their best hockey of the year against Anaheim, but will need a game to regroup.

Colorado was up and down, driving one minute and listless the next, against San Jose. Any of that against Detroit and the Avs are history. This should be a classic series of deep talent against deep talent.

St. Louis got by Phoenix with a 1-0 overtime win in Game 7. The Blues play tough hockey, grinding and checking. Their opponent is the NHL’s best regular-season team, the Dallas Stars.

Dallas, too, has had the long layoff after sweeping Edmonton. The Stars have the early advantage, nevertheless, because St. Louis is exhausted.

In the East, the Nos. 4, 6, 7 and 8 seeds have advanced. In the West, it’s 1, 2, 3 and 5. Don’t risk the cat in a bet, but here goes:

Boston finds a way and beats Hasek in six. I fully admit to a Bruins bias.

Pittsburgh beats Toronto if Jagr plays. This one goes seven. Watch Martin Straka.

Colorado bests Detroit in seven as Patrick Roy strikes again with a rousing performance. Both teams can fly.

Dallas drives St. Louis to distraction in five, maybe four.

Oh, yes, staying healthy remains a primary problem for all these teams. The drive for the Cup is always a last-man-standing affair. Drop the puck for round two.

NEWS columnist Gary Thorne, an Old Town native, is an ESPN and CBS broadcaster.