11-time NBA All-Star and "Inside the NBA" host Charles Barkley. Kyle Terada-Imagn Images

Charles Barkley Predicts 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs, Picks Canadian Champion

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Antonio Losada | Last updated Apr 20, 2025 4:51 AM ET

The 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs started on Saturday, April 19, but one of the boldest predictions of the postseason came a night early—from none other than Charles Barkley.

Appearing on NHL on TNT Friday night, the Basketball Hall of Famer and current TNT analyst laid out his full bracket, featuring a Canadian showdown at the very end.

Barkley picked the Edmonton Oilers and Toronto Maple Leafs to meet in the Stanley Cup Final, a matchup that would mark the first all-Canadian final since 1989.

Before making his ultimate pick, he ran through every first-round series, noting goalie performances, injury reports, and even the coaching situations, showcasing his hockey knowledge.

Charles Barkley has revealed his GUAR-AN-TEED #StanleyCupPlayoffs bracket and he's got some Canadian teams going on a deep run pic.twitter.com/FTCgDHlzG4
— NHLonTNT (@NHL_On_TNT) April 20, 2025

When it came to the Maple Leafs, Barkley gave a shout-out to team captain Auston Matthews and forecasted a first-round win over Ottawa in the Battle of Ontario.

Barkley dismissed Montreal’s chances against the Washington Capitals and praised Alex Ovechkin’s record-setting season.

In the West, Barkley sent the NHL-best Winnipeg Jets to the second round after beating the St. Louis Blues in Round 1, only to send them home in the second round at the hands of the Colorado Avalanche.

Ultimately, Barkley sang a line from “O Canada” in moving the Leafs past the Capitals in the East, before crowning the Oilers as his Stanley Cup champions.

I’m going to tell you why I’m taking the Oilers," Barkley said. "Two years ago, the Florida Panthers lost—came back and won it.

"Oilers lost last year. They’re going to come back and win it this year. Same scenario.

”Oh Canada, our home and native land. Sorry about the tariffs, but y’all going to get us back with a Stanley Cup victory.”

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: