Think the NHL playoffs aren’t must‑see TV? Wait until Charles Barkley starts cheering—you’ll rethink your loyalties. Even during a live NBA broadcast, we’ve heard him cheer passionately during NHL broadcasts. He even predicted the entire playoff bracket and hit the ‘Guarantee’ button on a champion. This time, he does pick the Stanley Cup winners, but not entirely due to their form. In fact, he hilariously tied his reasoning to the current tariff war between Canada and the US.

Trump has levied 25 percent tariffs on Canadian goods, with a 10 percent rate for energy exports. Even Canada’s auto, steel, and aluminum sectors are also facing 25 percent tariffs, and duties on softwood lumber also go up. One of the most talked-about statements from Trump has been about his repeated belief that Canada should become America’s 51st state. Despite trade tensions, Chuck forecast an all‑Canadian Final (a first since 1989). Still, he never wavered on his pick.

“Obviously, I picked the Oilers to win the Stanley Cup,” Charles Barkley said on episode 563 of Spittin’ Chiclets. Sir Charles continued, “I still feel good about my pick because you know these idiots over here in the United States trying to impose tariffs on Canada, that’s why the cup is going back. The cup is going back.” Beyond tariffs, the Sixers legend cited Edmonton’s hunger after last season’s Finals loss as key to their triumph.

“Hey, the tariff b——t is BS. You’re not going to be the 51st state, you’re not gonna be the 51st state. But let me tell you something, the cup is going back to Canada, plain and simple, go Oilers.” With the help of friends and fellow TNT analysts, Wayne Gretzky and Paul Bissonnette, Chuck is becoming a loud and proud hockey fan.

Charles Barkley’s guaranteed win came into question during the 1st round of the playoffs

It’s not that Chuck is usually accurate with his predictions. Yet the Guarantee Button is one of the features of the Inside the NBA show, where Sir Charles can be loud and often make exaggerated predictions. Before the playoffs, Barkley made the prediction and chose the Oilers to win their first championship since 1990 to beat the Leafs in the final. But during the first round, he seemed to change his tune.

“Let me tell you something, the Kings are spanking the Oilers,” Barkley said mid-show, drawing laughter from the desk. His assessment came after the host of the show, Ernie Johnson, brought up Charles Barkley’s pick of the Edmonton Oilers to win the Cup. The team fell behind 2–0 to the Los Angeles Kings in their first-round playoff series. EJ mockingly asked, “And who did you pick to win it all?” The reply was a dejected one from the Chuckster, “The Oilers will get spanked.”

The exchange came just one week after Barkley revealed his full “Guaranteed Bracket” live on NHL on TNT. Even though Barkley showed little faith during the live broadcast, the Oilers came back and won 4-2  and now have even secured a round 2 win over the Golden Knights (4-1). It will be interesting to see if it continues to back them or changes tune after another tough battle.