Hockey, a sport steeped in tradition and high stakes, is fertile ground for superstitions. Players often develop unique rituals and beliefs to gain a competitive edge or maintain a sense of control in the unpredictable world of professional sports. These superstitions, ranging from quirky to downright bizarre, have become an integral part of the NHL's colorful history.

One of the most well-known and widely practiced superstitions is the "playoff beard". The tradition, popularized by the New York Islanders during their dynasty in the 1980s, involves players refraining from shaving from the start of the playoffs until their team is either eliminated or wins the Stanley Cup. The beard is seen as a symbol of unity, determination, and a visual representation of the team's journey through the playoffs.

Many players have specific pre-game routines they follow religiously. Hall of Fame goaltender Glenn Hall, known as "Mr. Goalie," had a particularly disturbing superstition: he would force himself to vomit before every game, believing it improved his performance. Goaltender Jocelyn Thibault would pour water over his head exactly six and a half minutes before each game. Patrick Roy, another Hall of Fame goaltender, was known for talking to his goalposts during games, claiming they would even "talk back" to him. Roy felt that doing so would help him improve his game.

Wayne Gretzky, arguably the greatest hockey player of all time, had a series of superstitions. He would powder the blade of his stick with baby powder before each game and never get his hair cut on the road. Gretzky also had a specific order in which he consumed drinks during warm-ups: Diet Coke, water, Gatorade, followed by another Diet Coke. Sidney Crosby, another generational talent, is known for not allowing anyone to touch his sticks after he has taped them and not calling his mom on game days. Ray Bourque had an exact equipment routine that took 17 minutes to complete, and if interrupted, he would restart from scratch.

The Detroit Red Wings have a unique tradition known as the "Legend of the Octopus". It began in 1952 when brothers Pete and Jerry Cusimano, threw an octopus onto the ice during a playoff game. The eight tentacles were meant to represent the eight victories needed to win the Stanley Cup at the time. The Red Wings won the championship that year, and fans have thrown octopuses onto the ice during playoff games ever since.

Another widespread superstition concerns the conference championship trophies. Teams that win their respective conference, either Eastern or Western, have to decide whether to touch the Prince of Wales Trophy or Clarence S. Campbell Bowl. Many players believe that touching the trophy brings bad luck before the Stanley Cup Final. Teams often pose with the trophy without making contact, keeping their focus on the ultimate prize.

These are just a few examples of the many strange and fascinating superstitions that have permeated NHL history. While their effectiveness is debatable, these rituals provide players with a sense of control, comfort, and unity, adding to the mystique and charm of the game.