“Are you ready?” asked NHL on TNT host Liam McHugh as Basketball Hall of Famer Charles Barkley got ready to make in-depth playoff predictions. “I am ready, brother,” replied Barkley, but it’s safe to say that not everyone was ready for the former NBA player’s picks. That’s because few foresaw how the Stanley Cup semifinals played out in the NBA icon’s projections.

In a bold prediction few saw coming, Barkley added his twist to the bookmakers’ predictions, snubbing some of the teams with the best odds. Case in point? The BetMGM predictions. Their list puts the defending champions, the Florida Panthers, and the challengers, the Colorado Avalanche and the Carolina Hurricanes, as the top three title contenders. But not for the 62-year-old.

Instead of going with the odds leaders, Charles Barkley went with Canadian teams and two US teams in the semis. For Barkley, the Maple Leafs cooked out the Senators in the Battle of Ontario to make it all the way to the finals after beating Ovechkin’s Capitals in the semifinals. Yet, the biggest surprise came when Barkley picked the Edmonton Oilers for his “all-Canadian” Stanley Cup final.

“And the Stanley Cup champion? The Edmonton Oilers.” said the former Philadelphia 76ers star. However, the NBA veteran had his reasons for picking the Oilers to lift the coveted NHL trophy. “I’m gonna tell you why I’m taking the Oilers. Two years ago, the Florida Panthers lost, came back, and won it. Oilers lost last year. They’re gonna come back and win it this year,” added Barkley.

Some shocking highlights of his predictions included the defending champions bowing out in the Battle of Florida against the Lightning. Some of the most consistent teams of the season didn’t make the cut. The Vegas Golden Knights, Winnipeg Jets, and even Cinderella stories like the St. Louis Blues, who ended the season on a 15-game win streak, didn’t make it far in Barkley’s predictions. With that being said, the Oilers are on shaky ground.

Can the Edmonton Oilers clinch the Stanley Cup?

The Edmonton Oilers have struggled to click, especially in the latter half of the season, despite nearly winning it all last season. Stuart Skinner has faced the fans’ wrath after inconsistent performances. Yet, the biggest thorn in their side has been injuries. Big names like Leon Draisaitl, Stuart Skinner, Connor McDavid, Mattias Ekholm, and others are dealing with injuries ahead of the playoffs.

In fact, Draisaitl returned from injury only to get injured again after scoring his 50th goal of the season. Thankfully, both Connor McDavid and Draisaitl are confident they’ll return to aid the Oilers in the Stanley Cup chase. “I’ve felt, personally, night and day better from before the injury just in terms of rest,” McDavid said as per NHL.com.

“I feel Leon is going to feel the same way [as me]… Everybody is going to feel the same way coming out of that, and we’ll be ready to roll,” McDavid explained. But, despite the Canadian hockey icon’s assurance, players like Mattias Ekholm won’t play, at least in Game 1 of the first round. So naturally, stars such as Evan Bouchard will have to step up for the Oilers’ defense.

While it’s absolutely possible that the Oilers can win the Stanley Cup if they iron out all their problems, they just have too many right now. Charles Barkley hasn’t been too accurate with his predictions recently, either. The 62-year-old guaranteed the Arizona Wildcats would reach the finals, but they lost in the Sweet 16. So, what do you think of his all-Canadian Stanley Cup final prediction? Tell us in the comments.