John Tortorella expects to return to Boston next week.
The Blue Jackets head coach told reporters after his team's 4-3 Game 5 loss to the Bruins on Saturday that he believes the series will go the distance, despite Boston now holding a 3-2 lead.
"Things happen for a reason and I truly believe that," Tortorella said. "We’ll be back here for Game 7.”
The Blue Jackets mounted a furious comeback in the third period of Saturday's game, overcoming a two-goal deficit to even the score at 3-3 before David Pastrnak scored the game-winner with less than 90 seconds left in regulation. It was a cruel blow to a Columbus team that seemingly had all the momentum heading into a potential overtime period, and it puts the Blue Jackets in must-win mode for Monday's Game 6 in Ohio.
Despite the desperate nature of his team's predicament, Tortorella didn't seem bothered by the potential of a Blue Jackets elimination.
When a reporter asked him to expand on his comments about pushing the series to seven games, Tortorella responded in a way that only he can.
"Because we will," he said when asked why he's confident in the Blue Jackets winning on Monday and forcing a Game 7.
"I loved the energy level, but we have to make plays too." - Torts#CBJ pic.twitter.com/6U4ErnAjxg
— x-Columbus Blue Jackets (@BlueJacketsNHL) May 5, 2019
John Tortorella pulls no punches. “We will be back here for Game 7.” Asked what gives the Blue Jackets coach the confidence, he says, “Because we will.”
— Dan Rosen (@drosennhl) May 5, 2019
Despite the coach's confidence, not everyone is buying what Tortorella is selling. Bruins forward Brad Marchand rolled his eyes when he heard of the Tortorella declaration, according to the Boston Globe's Matt Porter.
Marchand and Pastrnak are told Tortorella declared CBJ would be back here for Game 7. Neither chooses to respond. Marchand with a slight eye roll.
— Matt Porter (@mattyports) May 5, 2019
The Blue Jackets will get to prove whether Tortorella's faith is valid on Monday in Columbus.