Oilers Player Makes Bold Stanley Cup Final Guarantee Before Game 6
Oilers Player Makes Bold Stanley Cup Final Guarantee Before Game 6 originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
The Edmonton Oilers trail the Florida Panthers 3-2 in the Stanley Cup Final heading into Game 6, scheduled for Tuesday in Sunrise, Florida.
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To return to Canada with a chance to hoist the Cup, the Oilers must win on the road to force a decisive Game 7 back home.
Despite falling 5-2 in Game 5 and being outplayed for long stretches, Oilers blueliner Jake Walman has no doubt the series will return to Edmonton, as he told The Athletic following Saturday's defeat while making a quite bold prediction — if not a straight guarantee.
'This was always going to be a long series,' Walman said. 'We're going to come back here after a game there, and that's it.
'There's no doubt.'
Walman and fellow defenseman Mattias Ekholm had a rough outing on Saturday, as Florida outshot the Oilers' first defensive pairing.
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Moreover, Florida's Brad Marchand beat Walman clean for both the opening goal and then the game-winner, the latter following an extraordinary move. Walman's confidence, however, hasn't wavered.
'It's frustrating when you come into the (dressing) room and you're down,' Walman said. 'We're struggling to get to our game right away. It takes us a little bit. I don't know what the reasoning is.'
Edmonton Oilers left wing Evander Kane (91) reacts with left wing Viktor Arvidsson (33) after scoring a goal against the Florida Panthers.Perry Nelson-Imagn Images
That slow-start trend should be a real concern for the Oilers, as Edmonton has trailed by at least two goals after the first period in each of the past three games.
Game 6 is at 8 p.m. ET Tuesday night in Sunrise, and Walman has already made his bold prediction for what will happen on the ice come puck-drop time.
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Related: NHL Makes Historic Connor McDavid Announcement Amid Stanley Cup Final
Related: Don Cherry Makes Pick for 2025 Conn Smythe Trophy Winner
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 16, 2025, where it first appeared.
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