Cometh the hour, cometh the beard. Yes, it is finally playoff time in the Lou and as one of the UK resident Blues fans, I felt it was my duty to celebrate this momentous occasion by fronting the SLGT Playoff Beard movement.

Yes, you too can immortalise YOUR playoff beard efforts each game day, by either posting in here or sending via Twitter. Before we get into the meat (hair?) of the matter, let us consider the playoff beard tradition.

The playoff beard was considered to have been started by the New York Islanders in 1980 and, ever since then, fans, players and even managers of hockey teams and other sports have joined together in freeing the razor and jumping on the beard bandwagon. The 2009 Inbred Wings even had a slogan, the Beard Is Back. Or something. I lost all interest and reason as soon as I saw the 'e' after D.

Some of us will be Shea Weber, Some will be Patrick Kane. No-one will be Roberto Luongo. Because once you are in this, you're in this for life. Or until June...

• The Shea Weber, or rather Mr Tim Cron, ladies and gentlemen. He's been quietly growing his since January, but the trimmer has been freed for now
• The Donut Kane? Clearly, someone has a lot of work ahead
• The 12-hour Nightshift, or more accurately. me. I've been growing mine since the loss to Anaheim. Sue me.
• Finally, one from the ladies, The 'I-Can't-Grow-A-Beard-But-Go-Blues' from Ashley!

So, there you have it. Game 1 of the Western Conference Quarter Final showdown has been marked. The beards are in. Will yours be too?