Scott Walker scored this series winner on Thursday night with his wife's cancer diagnosis not far from his thoughts. (Charles Krupa/Associated Press)

Scott Walker had much more on his mind last Thursday night than Game 7 against the Boston Bruins.

The Carolina Hurricanes' forward, who scored the series winner in overtime, confirmed to the Charlotte News & Observer Saturday that his wife, Julie, was recently diagnosed with cervical cancer.

Her illness is considered treatable and she is expected to make a full recovery.

"She's strong. She'll get through it," said Walker, whose team moved on to the NHL's Eastern Conference finals against the Pittsburgh Penguins, beginning this Monday night.

"From what I understand they caught it early. We expect a full recovery."

Paul Maurice, Walker's head coach, says he found out about the illness last Saturday.

"He made others feel better by saying, 'It's OK, we're going to get through this,'" Maurice said. "I've never been happier in my life for anyone to score a goal."