Oilers Send Message to Charles Barkley After Leon Draisaitl’s Game-Winner.
After a thrilling Game 4 win in the Stanley Cup Final, the Edmonton Oilers didn’t just celebrate on the ice—they also made sure to fire back at one of sports media’s most outspoken personalities. Following Leon Draisaitl’s dramatic game-winning goal in overtime, members of the Oilers had a message for NBA legend and TNT analyst Charles Barkley: *“Hope you’re watching, Chuck.”*
The quip came in response to comments Barkley made earlier in the series, where he questioned the Oilers’ ability to close out tight games and implied that their playoff run had been “lucky” rather than earned. While Barkley is known for his brash humor and off-the-cuff remarks, his critique didn’t sit well in the Oilers’ locker room—especially not with Draisaitl and captain Connor McDavid.
“He’s got opinions, and we’ve got hockey games,” Draisaitl said with a smirk during the postgame press conference. “But if he was watching tonight, I hope he saw how we finish games when it matters.”
Draisaitl’s goal, scored just 2:17 into overtime, capped off a relentless comeback performance that saw the Oilers rally from a 2-0 deficit against the Florida Panthers. The win ties the series 2-2 and shifts momentum back to Edmonton heading into Game 5.
After the game, the Oilers’ social media team joined in on the fun, posting a highlight of Draisaitl’s goal with the caption: *“That one’s for you, Chuck. #GoOilersGo.”* The tweet quickly went viral, with thousands of fans tagging Barkley and flooding the comments with hockey sticks, goat emojis, and GIFs of Barkley’s famous on-air rants.
Even McDavid, who rarely engages in media feuds, took a light jab when asked about Barkley’s comments. “He’s a basketball guy. Maybe we’ll send him a puck signed by the team,” McDavid said with a grin. “But seriously—he’s welcome to jump on the bandwagon if we keep playing like this.”
This isn’t the first time Barkley has ruffled feathers in the NHL community. Despite being a longtime hockey fan—he’s spoken often about his admiration for the game’s speed and toughness—his remarks tend to spark controversy due to his candid style. Earlier in the playoffs, Barkley picked against the Oilers in their series against the Vancouver Canucks, predicting they’d be out in six. Edmonton responded by winning in seven and posting a celebratory locker room video that included chants of “Tell Chuck we’re not done yet!”
What makes Draisaitl’s response even sweeter is the context: he had been held without a goal in the series until Game 4. Facing criticism from pundits and pressure from fans, the German star rose to the occasion, finding the back of the net in the biggest moment of the postseason so far.
“This is what you play for,” said Draisaitl. “Overtime in the Cup Final—it doesn’t get better. We’re just staying focused and trying to prove people wrong, one game at a time.”
As for Barkley, he has yet to issue a response, though it’s likely he’ll address the Oilers’ message on his next TNT segment. Whether he chooses to double down or offer praise remains to be seen—but in the meantime, Edmonton has made its point loud and clear.
With the series now tied and tensions running high, the Oilers are charging into Game 5 with momentum, swagger, and maybe a little extra fuel courtesy of Charles Barkley. And if the team keeps playing like this, they might just turn a skeptic into a believer.
**Game 5 is set for Saturday night in Sunrise, Florida, where the Oilers will look to take their first lead of the series—and continue silencing their doubters, one game-winning goal at a time.**
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