June 11, 2012; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Kings right wing Dustin Brown (23) hoists the Stanley Cup after defeating the New Jersey Devils 6-1 in game six of the 2012 Stanley Cup Finals at the Staples Center. The Kings won the series four games to two. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee/Image of Sport-USA TODAY Sports
It is that time of the year, hockey fans, the Stanley Cup Playoffs are upon us! The best sport in the world begins the most exciting playoffs for the the most coveted trophy in history. Sixteen teams will give it their all in search of NHL superiority, battling every night for a chance at Lord Stanley’s Cup. It all starts tonight as several series will have their respective Game 1. But before any of that can happen, hockey players across North America will need to do one thing: stop shaving and get your beard on!
There is no other sport that has the great traditions of hockey. Some put a squid or octopus on the ice. Others throw their hat into the rink when someone scores a hat trick. And for god’s sake, do not touch the Clarence S. Campbell Bowl or the Prince Of Wales Trophy if your team does happen to win their Conference Finals!
Some traditions cannot be put in to action until a player or team makes a certain achievement, but there is one tradition that is for all and is done right around this time of year…
THE PLAYOFF BEARD! Let it grow, y’all! It is that time.
Suspend that subscription to the Dollar Shave Club, put that razor in the back of your cabinet and take shaving cream off of your supermarket list! It is time to get grizzly!
It does not matter if you are patchy, thin or as covered as a mountain man, this tradition is strong and not to be messed around with, so get your own trend, BASEBALL! This is hockey’s thing. Every player on every team concedes to this belief, this superstition of sorts. If you do not get, you were not meant to.
Hoping we won't be needing you for a few weeks @Gillette!! Here's to the playoff beard! @LAKings pic.twitter.com/ctHaPvXgua
— Erin Andrews (@ErinAndrews) April 28, 2013
At the very least, Henrik Zetterberg has playoff beard ready. Won't be back for #Redwings barring long playoff run. pic.twitter.com/WZGORMtQYj
— Helene St. James (@HeleneStJames) March 26, 2014
Sharp's impressive playoff beard. #GoHawks @10PSharp pic.twitter.com/RoqOc1uxrT
— ABC 7 Chicago (@ABC7Chicago) June 25, 2013
As the beards grow, organizations like New York Rangers and the Los Angeles Kings have used this tradition to give back to those in need. The NHL and Beard-a-thon are doing the same and look for your help (go ahead and click on that link). Not only is this a great time in sports for great traditions, but it is also a great time to help those who need it most.
And why? Because it’s the cup!
And finally, #GoKingsGo!
Mike W.R.
Twitter: @TheBigDisco