Matthew Tkachuk issues bold declaration after Game 5 win

The Florida Panthers absolutely stunned the Boston Bruins last night at TD Garden, winning a back and forth affair thanks to an ill-timed gaffe from goaltender Linus Ullmark in overtime that opened the door for scrappy and offensive minded forward Matthew Tkachuk to play the role of hero. 

His goal at 6:05 of overtime ensured that the series will head back to Florida for a Game 6. And while the Bruins are still the favored team after having won 65 games during the regular season, they're finding out the hard way what the 62-win Tampa Bay Lightning in 2019 found out against the Columbus Blue Jackets that there's absolutely nothing guaranteed in the postseason based on regular season accolades.

And if the bold declaration from Tkachuk in the dressing room afterward holds true, there could be a winner-take-all Game 7 that would take place on Sunday back in Boston. 

“Boys, remember this room,” Tkachuk said, per a clip shared by the Panthers. “We’ll be back here for (Game) 7.”

The Panthers have every right to feel confident right now, having stolen two games on Boston's home ice where the Bruins losing a game during the 2022-23 season was about as rare as a solar eclipse. And with that seed of doubt being planted in the minds of Bruins players and fans, there's no telling where it could lead. 

That's why the NHL is unique as opposed to the NBA, where lower seeded teams almost never upset the betting favorites. In hockey, just as the mantra goes - get in and you have a chance. Not many expected the Panthers to win even a single game in this series, but that's why you play! Can the Panthers force a deciding Game 7?