2011 NHL Playoffs: Grading the Top 10 Playoff Beards

The NHL playoffs make for some of the most painful, exciting and heart-throbbing times in fans' lives.

Fans spend most of the game on the edge of their seat, hoping and praying their team is the next one to put the "biscuit in the basket."

At the same time, there is a lot of fun in the NHL playoffs, as both fans and players begin growing their playoff beards.

Some players like Shea Weber can grow some phenomenal playoff beards, while players like Sidney Crosby grow a modified version of the creeper 'stache.

Here are 10 players who know how to grow a playoff beard.

10. Brandon Dubinsky

Brandon Dubinsky opted to go the non-traditional route of growing a playoff mustache this year, instead of a playoff beard. 

Unfortunately for those mustache connoisseurs who wanted to see how awesome Dubinsky's facial hair could get, it turned out to not be so lucky, as they were bounced in the first round by the Washington Capitals.

Either way, there is no doubt it was looking more awesome as the days went along.

9. Karl Alzner

Alex Ovechkin's goatee can't even compete with Karl Alzner's beard. Alzner's beard was just reaching maximum potential, as he grew an amazing beard last year with the Hershey Bears.

Too bad the Washington Capitals were eliminated before we could see Alzner's beard reach the pinnacle.

8. Tanner Glass

The mullet battle is going on in this picture between Patrick Kane and Tanner Glass. However, notice that Glass' beard is starting to fill in quite nicely, just two weeks into the playoffs. 

He has been gaining significantly more facial hair since then, but the mullet comparison was necessary, especially considering that Glass opted to make fun of Kane's mullet during an interview in Round 1.

7. Niclas Wallin

Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

SAN JOSE, CA - APRIL 23: Niclas Wallin #7 of the San Jose Sharks in action against the Los Angeles Kings in game five of the Western Conference Quarterfinals during the 2011 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at HP Pavilion on April 23, 2011 in San Jose, Californi

If the San Jose Sharks can continue to win games, Niclas Wallin has the chance to put together the best playoff beard of the year.

His beard is ideal and looks even better with his long hair.

6. Henrik Zetterberg

The Detroit Red Wings star has put together a pretty solid beard thus far, but the Red Wings are about to be eliminated from the playoffs.

We won't get to enjoy Henrik Zetterberg's beard for much longer, unless the Red Wings can stage a serious comeback.

5. Zdeno Chara

Elsa/Getty Images

BOSTON, MA - MAY 04: Zdeno Chara #33 of the Boston Bruins celebrates teammate David Krejci's goal in the first period against the Philadelphia Flyers in Game Three of the Eastern Conference Semifinals during the 2011 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at TD Garden

Zdeno Chara isn't just the biggest player on the ice, but he also has one of the best beards come playoff time.

The star defenseman refuses to trim his beard up and lets it grow all natural.

You have to respect a player that can shoot and check like Chara, but also a player that can grow a beard like him, too.

4. Ville Leino

Paul Bereswill/Getty Images

PHILADELPHIA, PA - MAY 02: Ville Leino #22 of the Philadelphia Flyers sets up in front of the net in Game Two of the Eastern Conference Semifinals against the Boston Bruins during the 2011 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Wells Fargo Center on May 2, 2011 in

It isn't even necessary to do a close up of Ville Leino to see his beard.

He grew a crucial beard last year and he's not disappointing so far this year, either.

Unfortunately, time is looking like it's going to run out on the Philadelphia Flyers, so we won't be able to enjoy it for much longer. Then again, they did came back from 3-0 on the Boston Bruins last year.

3. Scott Hartnell

Paul Bereswill/Getty Images

PHILADELPHIA, PA - MAY 02: Scott Hartnell #19 of the Philadelphia Flyers passes the puck in Game Two of the Eastern Conference Semifinals against the Boston Bruins during the 2011 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Wells Fargo Center on May 2, 2011 in Philadelp

The Philadelphia Flyers might not be winning games right now, but they are winning the beard contest—that's for sure.

With two players in the top five, they are running away with the Beard Cup.

Unfortunately, they had their sights set on bigger things this year, but at least we all got to enjoy Scotty Hartnell's beard while it lasted.

It definitely would have been interesting to see if he could have topped the masterpiece he grew for everyone last season.

2. Todd Bertuzzi

Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

SAN JOSE, CA - MAY 01: Marc-Edouard Vlasic #44 of the San Jose Sharks and Todd Bertuzzi #44 of the Detroit Red Wings are separated by lineman Jay Sharrers in Game Two of the Western Conference Semifinals during the 2011 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at HP Pav

1. Shea Weber

Frederick Breedon/Getty Images

NASHVILLE, TN - MAY 03: Shea Weber #6 of the Nashville Predators skates against the Vancouver Canucks in Game Three of the Western Conference Semifinals during the 2011 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Bridgestone Arena on May 3, 2011 in Nashville, Tennessee

Shea Weber has what I like to call the "caveman beard"—it grows extremely fast and is not the most well-kept beard. 

Either way, the man can grow an intimidating beard in a matter of weeks.

Hopefully, Nashville can stick around for a bit longer, so we can all see Weber's beard reach full potential.