While last season's playoff run saw the Edmonton Oilers fall just short of reaching the ultimate goal, there were still plenty of memorable moments. It truly was a special postseason for the team and fans alike, resulting in the organisation's first appearance in the Stanley Cup Final since 2005-06.
Given that the Oilers' played 25 playoff games in total last season, Connor McDavid and his teammates had plenty of time to grow some impressive beards. We'd give Mattias Ekholm and Adam Henrique the nod for the two best beards on the team, but it does bring to mind the question of how this all began?
Well, hockey fans can take some pride in the fact that it was indeed the NHL which introduced the concept of playoff beards to team sports. Most people point towards the 1979-80 New York Islanders being the first team to start what would become a significant tradition, on the way to their first ever appearance in the Stanley Cup Final.
A winning start to a new tradition
The fact that the Islanders won the Stanley Cup that same season, no doubt helped convince people that a playoff beard was the way forward. And it certainly seemed to provide a pyschological edge for the Islanders, as they went on to win four consecutive Stanley Cups.
Interestingly, that fourth win came against the Edmonton Oilers in 1982-83, who were themselves making their first ever appearance in hockey's main event. And although the Oilers were swept 4-0, they came back the very next season to beat those same Islanders 4-1.
Even though it was the Islanders who started the tradition in the NHL, not every player took part. The first team to have every player participate was the 1984-85 Detroit Red Wings, albeit this was actually during the regular season in what turned out to be an ill-fated attempt to turn their campaign around.
The playoff beard epitomises the NHL
Hockey players are renowned for being the most down-to-earth among the major North American professional sports leagues, so it makes sense as to why they would embrace the playoff beard. It represents team unity and toughness, as opposed to focusing on individuals and their respective talents.
In this respect, NBC Sports chairman Mark Lazurus attempted to lobby the NHL in 2015, to do away with the playoff beard. As per Ed Sherman of the Chicago Tribune, Lazurus argued that it stopped viewers from being able to recognise players, hence potentially impacting the growth of the league.
While we can objectively acknowledge where Lazurus was coming from, he was always going to struggle to get people on board, given the aforementioned mentality of the average NHL player. As expected, the wishes of NBC Sports fell on dead ears, and the tradition remains as strong as ever today.
As for the Oilers, their fans will be hoping for another deep playoff run once the 2024-25 regular season is completed. And if all goes well this time around, there will be plenty of smiling faces under those beads in Edmonton, as they lift the Stanley Cup for the first time since 1990.