Charles Barkley Attends Stanley Cup Final Game 4, Hangs Out with Wayne Gretzky

Count Charles Barkley among those who can't get enough postseason hockey.

The basketball Hall of Famer attended the Nashville Predators' 4-1 victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins in Monday's Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Final at Bridgestone Arena. He also crashed the stage when Wayne Gretzky was announcing the 1984-85 Edmonton Oilers as the victor of the fan vote for best NHL team, per Dan Rosen of NHL.com.

Rosen noted Gretzky called Barkley the "biggest hockey fan on the planet," and Barkley responded "literally."

Barkley also said NHL commissioner Gary Bettman invited him to Monday's game after the commentator praised the hockey playoffs on various Turner Sports broadcasts.

"We probably should pay more attention to the regular season, but there is nothing more nerve-wracking than Stanley Cup overtime hockey," Barkley said. "It's the craziest thing you ever going to see. That's one of the reasons why I just love the sport."

The fans in Nashville provided Barkley with a raucous environment, as the home team scored three straight goals in the second and third periods to tie the series against the defending champions at two games apiece. The Predators also benefited from goaltender Pekka Rinne's brilliant night with 23 saves on 24 shots.

Barkley and the rest of the NHL fans across the country will have the chance to watch a crucial Game 5 as the series shifts back to Pittsburgh on Thursday.