GAME CHANGER - April 21, 2009

The plays that turn the tide in every game of playoff action -- that is what the beauty of hockey history is built on.

Check back every night following all the 2009 playoff action to witness NHL.com's game-changing moment from each game, as well as the rest of each game's goals, saves and hits.

You can vote on the night's best Game Changer.  Cast your votes after the night's action.

Thanks to all who voted -- and enjoy the 2009 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs!

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Detroit at Columbus - Game 3

A sellout Columbus crowd was on hand for the franchise's first playoff game, but Detroit quickly reminded everyone why they were already up two games to none. Tomas Holmstrom intercepted a pass near center ice, skated down the left wing and fired a 50-foot shot that goalie Steve Mason deflected.

The puck careened to Marian Hossa, who gained control and backhanded a high shot past Mason, off the crossbar, and along the goal line. Holmstrom was right there to jam home the rebound at only 1:07 into the contest, quieting a raucous crowd watching their first home playoff game.

FINAL SCORE:  Red Wings 4, Blue Jackets 1






 

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Pittsburgh at Philadelphia - Game 4

The Penguins were up two goals in the third period during this crucial Game 4 and the Flyers were looking to even everything up by throwing everything they could at Pens goalie Marc-Andre Fleury.

Philadelphia was awarded their seventh power-play opportunity on a Mark Eaton tripping minor, and again sent their 6th ranked power-play during the regular season to bombard the Pittsburgh net- only Fleury stuffed every Philly attempt over and over.

Despite having the extra man once more before the final whistle, Fleury continued to shut out the Flyers and shine as the Pens' best penalty-killer -- as every goalie should be -- making 45 saves to grab a 3-1 series lead.


FINAL SCORE: Penguins 2, Flyers 1

 

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Devils at Hurricanes - Game 4

Carolina dominated Game 4 for much of the night, but a rally by New Jersey made a three-goal lead disappear by the middle of the third period. With the Devils holding all the momentum and getting the majority of the scoring chances, the Hurricanes' best hope appeared to be getting the game into overtime.

But the Canes made a last-ditch effort to steal the game, as Denis Seidenberg fired a desperation shot from the point just before the final horn. Jussi Jokinen got in front of the net to deflect the puck past Martin Brodeur, and it crossed the goal line with just 00.2 seconds remaining in regulation, giving Carolina a stunning win to even its Eastern Conference Quarterfinal with New Jersey at two games apiece.

FINAL SCORE: Hurricanes 4, Devils 3

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Canucks at Blues - Game 4

During overtime, Ryan Kesler was attempting to jump around Mike Weaver and into the St. Louis zone, when his errant stick caught the St. Louis defenseman in the face, cutting the blue-liner and sending Kesler to the sin bin with a double-minor.
 
On the ensuing four-minute penalty kill, Roberto Luongo made a plethora of spectacular saves, and the defense moved the puck out beautifully, keeping the game going when by all rights the Blues should have won. Eventually Kesler came out of the box, and with 19 seconds left in OT, Alex Burrows' goal ended the Blues season.

FINAL SCORE: Canucks 4, Blues 3 (OT)

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Sharks at Ducks - Game 4

With a moribund power play that had been 0-for-12 entering the night, San Jose finally got it right -- and right in time for their first win of the series. Patrick Marleau scored the second goal of the night thanks to a Corey Perry hooking penalty, and the Sharks may have turned the series around for themselves with a much-need goal from their captain.

FINAL SCORE: Sharks 4, Ducks 3