NHL Playoffs 2012: Updating the 20 Best Playoff Beards Still Active

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When the first round ended, half of the possible NHL playoff beards were eliminated from contention.

Also, those players probably shaved after their seasons were over. Though it's unfortunate to have the lower amount of possible candidates, those who remain are getting plenty more time to show their talents.

And, yes, "talents" means the ability to not pick up a razor and clean themselves up.

20. Travis Zajac

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Not too impressive, but he makes the cut.

19. Mike Richards

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Richards has a good chance to challenge his 2010 playoff beard if teammate Jonathan Quick keeps playing Conn Smythe-quality goaltending.

18. Derek Morris

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This picture does not exactly do Morris' beard justice, but trust that it's a good one.

17. Dennis Wideman

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Capitals fans would like it if Wideman's play stepped up to the level his beard is performing.

16. Jaromir Jagr

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Jagr had an interesting Movember look, his playoff beard is just as peculiar.

15. Karl Alzner

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In this photo, you can see Marian Gaborik attempting to shave Alzner's beard out of jealousy.

14. Claude Giroux

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Giroux demonstrated in Movember that he can grow awesome hair on his face. Give him time, and the playoff beard might only be upstaged by Giroux's scoring totals.

13. B.J. Crombeen

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Crombeen has 31 penalty minutes with 54 minutes of ice time.

12. Keith Yandle

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This might be the longest Yandle's ever let his hair grow out; his Phoenix Coyotes are in their longest playoff run since moving to the desert from Winnipeg.

11. Braden Holtby

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Tip: Watering beards, like watering grass, will improve growth.

Honorable Mention: This Guy

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This picture was snapped during Game 2 of the Nashville Predators vs. Phoenix Coyotes series.

He's not a player, but he's got the beard going pretty well.

10. David Clarkson

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The beard appears to be deep in thought in this picture...

9. Andreas Lilja

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Lilja is one of the Flyers' worst defensemen, but he does try making up for it with his face.

8. Brandon Prust

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If you're wondering why Prust's teammates are so close to him in this picture, they're probably just asking what he uses to make his hair grow so well.

7. Barret Jackman

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Jackman might be saying, "Listen Jordan, I have a beard. You don't. End of argument."

6. Shea Weber

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This is not a beard you want to try playing offense against, nor is it a beard you want to block the shot of.

5. Max Talbot

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Talbot is a seasoned veteran at growing a playoff beard.

4. Scott Hartnell

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Hartnell will look like a caveman by the time the playoffs end.

3. Henrik Lundqvist

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That right there is Vezina Trophy-winning facial hair.

2. Dustin Penner

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Pancake Penner's beard is about to eat David Backes in this picture.

1. Roman Polak

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Polak has not contributed any points in seven games, but his beard has racked up an average 20:30 of intimidation time per game.

 

Jason Sapunka covers the NHL and Philadelphia Flyers. He is available on Twitter for updates, commentary and analysis.

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