BIG MOMENTS - May 14, 2009: CAR @ BOS

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 Big Moment.  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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Carolina at Boston - Game 7

A) The rookie strikes first - Looking to get on the board first in this decisive Game 7, Boston did just that at 7:42 of the first period.

Michael Ryder took a shot from the high point, and while Cam Ward tried to control the rebound, David Krejci created enough of a disturbance in the crease to force the puck to pop backwards. Byron Bitz, who was trailing the play, lifted the puck over Ward for the goal.

It was the rookie right winger's first career NHL playoff goal.

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B) Thomas robs Whitney, twice - With the score deadlocked at one apiece, Tim Thomas delivered consecutive saves just 31 seconds into the middle period to prevent Carolina from taking the lead.

After the Hurricanes gained possession of the puck in their own zone, Joni Pitkanen fed an outlet pass to Ray Whitney. Whitney walked in, deked around the diving body of Aaron Ward and fired a quick snap shot that was stopped by Thomas. Whitney then jumped on his own rebound and tried to sneak a shot in, but Thomas sprawled to his right and made a phenomenal kick save.

TD Banknorth Garden came alive as Thomas' two saves gave the Bruins a timely lift.

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C) Samsonov puts 'Canes ahead - Tied after the first 20 minutes, Sergei Samsonov would give the Hurricanes their first lead of Game 7 at 7:44 of the second period.

Deep in the left side of the Boston zone Joni Pitkanen would sail a beautiful pass across the front of the net to Samsonov, who broke free of the defense and was in perfect position to score Carolina’s second goal of the night over a diving Tim Thomas.

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D) Lucic ties it up - Moments after Aaron Ward made a brilliant play to keep the Bruins within one (SEE VIDEO), Boston's usual playmaker came up with a crafty play to tie the score 6:19 into the third period.

Dennis Wideman made a key pinch to keep the puck in the Carolina zone. Marc Savard eventually received it down low behind the net. Showing great patience, Savard held onto the puck until a Carolina defender was forced to chase him. Savard brought the puck around the net and cleverly threw it off the side of the cage. Milan Lucic, left all alone in front, found the bouncing puck and buried it past the flustered Cam Ward.

The Boston faithful erupted as Lucic's third goal of the postseason tied the score and provided plenty of momentum for the B's.

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E) Walker wins it - For nearly 19 minutes, both Boston and Carolina traded one golden chance after another. But with the clock winding down on the first overtime period, the Bruins were controlling the pace before the Canes made a rush into the offensive zone. After receiving a long pass through the neutral zone, Ray Whitney skated along the right boards and fired a shot at Tim Thomas.

Thomas squared up to make the save, but was unable to hold on to the puck. As the rubber fluttered in front of him, Scott Walker flew into the slot and connected with the puck in mid-air at the top of the crease, knocking it into the top of the net for the game-winner and sending Carolina to its third conference final in the past seven seasons.

FINAL SCORE: Hurricanes 3, Bruins 2 (OT)

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