Leon Draisaitl, Mattias Ekholm and Stuart Skinner all sported their signature facial hair. Which style was the best?

Playoff beards are a tradition in the NHL post season dating back to the 1984-85 Detroit Red Wings team. It's rooted in superstition, but doesn't actually determine a team's playoff success.

The Edmonton Oilers have players with a wide array of facial hair. Different lengths, styles and colours give fans different options to cheer for. Let's look at the best from the 2023 Playoffs.

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Some criteria to go over before we begin: I am ranking these playoff beards on multiple levels. Fullness, length, style and how signature the look itself is are all factors. Also note, this is all completely subjective.

5. Evan Bouchard

Starting off our top five is Evan Bouchard. He would be higher on the list if his beard was longer. If the Oilers would have made it further into the playoffs we would have definitely seen a longer beard from him. The fullness of his present beard has the potential to make a longer beard formidable to others at the top of this list. Keep growing it Old Man Bouch.

4. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins

The longtime Oiler, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins cannot grow a full beard. What he does grow is so distinct to him that he takes the number four spot on this list. Despite being almost 30 years old the most he can grow is a goatee that reminds me of Orlando Bloom's character in Pirates of the Caribbean (who's name I cannot remember right now). Grow Nuge grow.

3. Leon Draisaitl

The "German Gretzky" can certainly grow a beard. Leon Draisaitl gets top marks for fullness and length. The style seems to fit him and his face shape very well. Not much else needs to be said about it, except that next year I hope that he can grow it longer than he did in the 2023 playoffs.

2. Mattias Ekholm

Mattias Ekholm's beard is an absolute wonder. Most would consider it a "viking beard". This makes a lot of sense given that Sweden is a Scandinavian country, and viking is a catch all term for people from Scandinavia. Regardless of what we call it, the beard is recognizable across the league. The hair on his chin appears to grow faster than on the rest of his face, giving him that distinct look that is all his own.

1. Stuart Skinner

A moustache is not a beard, but Stuart Skinner's lip-warmer takes the top spot on this list. It is simply the fullest moustache I've ever seen someone younger than 30 possess. It's thick, but not curly. It also takes up the entire space above his top lip. Over the course of the season and playoffs, fans across the league started to take notice of Skinner's facial hair prowess. 

What did you think of my top five? Is there any players you think should have made the list? Who would you have at number one? Let me know in the comments!