Fansided

Let us hope that, like Samson, Patrik Laine’s strength does not come from his beard

By Michelle Bruton

WINNIPEG, MB - MAY 20: Patrik Laine #29 of the Winnipeg Jets looks on during a third period face-off against the Vegas Golden Knights in Game Five of the Western Conference Final during the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Bell MTS Place on May 20, 2018 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. (Photo by Jonathan Kozub/NHLI via Getty Images)
WINNIPEG, MB - MAY 20: Patrik Laine #29 of the Winnipeg Jets looks on during a third period face-off against the Vegas Golden Knights in Game Five of the Western Conference Final during the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Bell MTS Place on May 20, 2018 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. (Photo by Jonathan Kozub/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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Now that the Winnipeg Jets have been eliminated from the NHL playoffs, winger Patrik Laine will be shaving his infamous beard.

Most hockey players worth their salt will put their competitive natures on display in a tangible manner when their teams advance to the NHL postseason, growing out their facial hair for the duration of their Cup run.

But Winnipeg Jets winger Patrik Laine began his beard-growing campaign long before the postseason — in fact, at the beginning of the NHL regular season, after entering into a bet with his cousin over who could grow the more magnificent facial fringe.

It’s been a long season, both for the Jets and for Laine’s beard, which was looking like this by the end of their year:

WINNIPEG, MB – MAY 20: Patrik Laine #29 of the Winnipeg Jets looks on during a third period face-off against the Vegas Golden Knights in Game Five of the Western Conference Final during the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Bell MTS Place on May 20, 2018 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. (Photo by Jonathan Kozub/NHLI via Getty Images)
WINNIPEG, MB – MAY 20: Patrik Laine #29 of the Winnipeg Jets looks on during a third period face-off against the Vegas Golden Knights in Game Five of the Western Conference Final during the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Bell MTS Place on May 20, 2018 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. (Photo by Jonathan Kozub/NHLI via Getty Images) /

The deed will be done, according to Tim Campbell of NHL.com, at 2 p.m. Friday in Finland, with a haircut to accompany the clean shave.

Much of Twitter rejoiced in this news, having had to watch Laine’s scruff go from wild to out-of-control over the course of the last seven months.

But what if, like Samson, Laine’s beard is the source of his strength — the catalyst behind his 70-point regular season effort (44 goals, 26 assists) and 12-point postseason performance (five goals, seven assists)? What if, once shorn, Laine’s slapshots miss their mark and his breakaways become broken?

Be careful what you wish for, Jets fans. We know not what forces power this 19-year-old phenom, whether it be “talent” and “athleticism” or something more mysterious, something…hairier.

Next: 20 hockey smiles that prove teeth are overrated

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