NHL Beardoffs Greatest Disappointment: The New Jersey Devils

First Devils Captain Zach Parise decides not to grow one (and weak facial hair growth is no excuse) giving his team the impression that tradition is all a bunch of tomfoolery.  Then future Hall of Famer Martin Brodeur follows suit.  Then came David Clarkson’s Game 4 surprise and Adam Henrique’s alteration. It was just one, big playoff beard disaster.  I will say this - Ilya Kovalchuk, who grew up in Russia, was a great sport and participated in one of the greatest hockey traditions, and it was a bloody great beard. 

Now guys, what did you learn? YOU CAN’T WIN THE CUP WITHOUT A BEARD. Traditions are just that for a reason. 

Look who decided to get ballsy as fuck before the all-important Game 4. Rookie Adam Henrique shaved his goatee down to a mustache (an improvement nonetheless) but David Clarkson just straight up flipped the bird to the Playoff tradition when he shaved his entirely perfect and well-groomed beard. Why you mad, bro?

While Henrique proved that “the power of the mustache is alive”, Clarkson has disappointed us all.  Was he admitting defeat before it was even over?  Inquiring minds want to know…