Wash, Don't Overwash
Use a gentle beard wash two or three times a week. Regular shampoo strips natural oils and leaves your beard dry and itchy. On off-days, rinse with warm water only.
2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs
Rank the Best Playoff Beards
Drag your favorites to the top. Track your own growth. See how your picks stack up against hockey history.
Round 1 Ballot
Drag beards into your preferred order. Number 1 is your top pick. Your ranking saves automatically in this browser.
My Beard Growth Tracker
Log your progress each day. Hit milestones and earn badges as the playoffs roll on.
No entries yet. Log your first day above to start the streak.
Hall of Fame Beards
Legendary playoff beards from years past. Use these as inspiration for your own run.
Beard Care for the Playoff Run
Oil Is Your Friend
Start using beard oil once you hit the scruff stage. A few drops after washing keeps the skin underneath from flaking. Look for jojoba or argan oil bases.
Trim the Neck, Not the Cheeks
During the playoffs, let the cheeks grow. Clean up the neckline just above your Adam's apple. This keeps a wild look without crossing into unkempt territory.
Comb After Every Wash
A wide-tooth wooden comb prevents tangles and distributes oil evenly. Comb when damp, never when soaking wet. Start from the bottom and work up.
Stay Hydrated
Beard hair reflects your overall health. Drink water, eat protein, and get sleep when you can. A dehydrated beard looks dull no matter how much oil you use.
Own the Itch
Days 3 to 10 are the hardest. The itch is real. Resist scratching. Beard oil and patience get you through. By week two, the itch fades and the pride kicks in.
Common Questions
- Once a day works best. Pick the same time each evening so you can see steady progress. The tracker shows your streak so you stay motivated.
- Yes. Click the Share button to copy a link with your current ranking encoded in the URL. Paste it anywhere and your friends will see your exact order.
- No problem. Just log the next day when you remember. Your streak counter resets but all past entries stay saved in your browser.
- No. Each round starts fresh with a new set of contenders. This keeps things fair as new beards emerge and others get eliminated.
- No. This is a fan-made project celebrating the playoff beard tradition. It is not affiliated with the NHL or any team.