Nathan Horton scored with just over 7 1/2 minutes remaining in the third period as the Boston Bruins advanced to the Stanley Cup Finals for the first time in 21 years with a 1-0 home triumph over the Tampa Bay Lightning on Friday in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference finals.

Vezina Trophy finalist Tim Thomas turned aside 24 shots for third-seeded Boston, which will face the reigning Presidents' Trophy-winning Vancouver Canucks in the Stanley Cup Finals. The Bruins skated to a 3-1 road victory over the Canucks on Feb. 26 in their lone meeting of the season.

Boston captain Zdeno Chara did not touch the Prince of Wales Trophy during the post-game presentation, instead opting to join his team for a group photo.

After the teams played two scoreless periods, Horton finally broke through with his eighth goal of the postseason.

With 7:33 remaining in the third, Boston navigated through Tampa Bay's vaunted 1-3-1 defensive scheme as David Krejci carried the puck into the left faceoff circle. Alertly, Krejci fed a cutting Horton, who directed the puck past Dwayne Roloson to send TD Garden into a frenzy.

Horton, who collected his third game-winning goal of the playoffs, scored three times and added four assists in this series.

Thomas did the rest from there to record his second shutout of the series and third career playoff blanking. The All-Star netminder stopped all 31 shots he faced in the Bruins' 2-0 triumph in Game 3.

Roloson finished with 37 saves for fifth-seeded Tampa Bay, which fell to 3-1 all-time in Game 7s. The 41-year-old netminder also dropped to 7-1 in career when facing postseason elimination.