NHL Playoffs Begin Tonight

I am pulsing with excitement in anticipation of tonight's game; enough really cannot be said about the bitterness that exists between the Philadelphia Flyers and the Pittsburgh Penguins. Most hockey pundits are calling this series the best first round matchup this year and I can only agree. I have been researching as best I can the various rules on playoff beards (one misstep could cost you) and have only gotten to the conclusion that there is no universal understanding of the rules. I didn't shave this morning, but I did shape. So I did put razor-to-face technically, although only to take away the hobo-esque raggedness (I work at a law firm, I can't show up looking like I just got back from a 3-day crack bender). Is this allowed? It's unclear to me at this point. However, according to at least two sources so far you can put razor-to-face up until puck drops, not just day of game. So I'm good. I think.

I really wasn't impressed with the way the Flyers wrapped up the season. We lost some momentum and looked tired. I don't think we had a game in the last 10 or so that was an equally good offensive and defensive effort. But that no longer matters. It all starts anew tonight.

"The rivalry here is well known," Flyers coach John Stevens said. "The teams don't like each other very much. Any time you play a team two years a row in the playoffs, the emotions roll over."