God bless playoff hockey beards. They're either great or atrocious. For every seasoned veteran beard of glory (see Mike Commodore and Scott Niedermayer), you've got a young whipper snapper with hit-or-miss hairfuzz like Sidney Crosby.

And I should know. The beard Crosby is rockin' in the Finals is just about as good as the one I can grow in about two months. Not that I want a beard. I have enough trouble keeping food off my face without my glorified peach fuzz complicating matters.

If you're looking for some more beards, get your tail over to a sponsor-ific gallery that the NHL put together. It hasn't been updated in awhile, so you can still see shots of your fave Dallas Stars players' facial hair expressions.

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I've got two hours 'til the Pens get their first goal and first win in the Stanley Cup Finals against the hated Wings (7 p.m. on NBC!!!). So, what's a hockey-lovin' editor to do? Well, I could blog about playoff beards! Nope, that bloggin' will have to wait, 'cause that stove is smokin'.

My man Trevor Daley, who's got a bit of Shane Churla in 'im, just got paid! He'll pull in about $7 mil over the next three years (which keeps him around through that magical 2010-11 period we've seen a bunch of lately).

Not quite as hot (it's been on the backburner for awhile) but lookie who the Maple Leafs might love as their new GM. That's right, none other than Doug(ie) Armstrong, former Stars general manager. He was successful in Dallas, but a change was needed. I'm guessing the Leafs figure it took two guys to replace him in Big D, so Armstrong must be awesome! Right? Right??? (more)

There's some great news on the personnel front for the Stars. The organ-I-zation has inked Admiral Tippett to steer the ship for another three years. This comes on the heels of the re-upping of the two-headed Franken-GM "Les Hull Brett Jackson Show" through 2011. Front-office hot-stove fever! Catch it!

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I don't know what to say about the Stars' loss. I guess we should be thankful that all games of the series weren't as difficult to watch as last night's 4-1 loss to the Detroit Red Wings in Game 6. I averted my eyes for a grand portion of the second period.

I am proud that the boys didn't give up and that the fans didn't boo last night. The Stars built something great this postseason and proved they can hang with some elite competition under tough circumstances and without some key players.

I look forward to the Pens giving the Wings the business in a four-straight sweep for Lord Stanley's Cup ... and I really look forward to next season.

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It’s the same ol’ drill as games 4 and 5 — must-win … do or die … win or else …

All these clichés and excitement leading up to the Dallas Stars tilt against the Detroit Red Wings is enough to make you blow your top. So, to help you dial back the stress a bit, watch this recent, pucktastic "Adventures of Kandace and Aly” video. It’ll will make you laugh (we hope) ... it will make me cry ... and it will make you appreciate how great the Stars are.

MORE STARS STUFF:

∙ What the team is thinking leading up to the big game.

∙ Dallas Morning News writer Brandon George’s expert opinion

∙ No tix, no Versus? Watch the game like these diehard, super fans

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Sure, I didn't skate minute one of the Stars 3-1 triumph over Motown in Game 4; however, I'm thrilled "we" have reason to (cue that durn Bravery song in the ads) "Believe" the home team could extend this thing to a Game 7. And that would be a great thing 'cause I am not ready to fill the void of a Stars playoff exit with the Texas Rangers or the NBA playoffs.

Thank God the Pens are still fighting for Lord Stanley and the Memorial Cup (junior hockey championships) starts Friday, airing on the NHL Network. For those keeping score at home, I've got the Gatineau Olympiques in that one because:

a) I'm craving Fronch toast as I type this and

b) the Chicoutimi Saguenéens aren't in it to win it. Sacré bleu!

VIDEO: Expert analysis of Game 4

VIDEO: Passionate analysis of Game 4

VOTE: Game 5, 6 or 7?

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So home was not so sweet a home last night. Los Estrellas son perdedores, 5-2. An injured Jere Lehtinen is a very bad thing. In these troubling times, it’s nice to know this information:

1942: The Mighty Toronto Maple Leafs came back from a 3-0 deficit to defeat the underdog Detroit Red Wings in seven games

>> Fast forward 33 years … >>

1975: The New York Islanders, back stopped by Billy Smith, surprised the pesky Pittsburgh Penguins to rally from a 0-3 series deficit to advance to the Stanley Cup Finals, where they almost came back from the same deficit but lost to the defending Cup champs, the tough-as nails Philadelphia “Broad-Street Bullies,” in Game 7.

>> Fast forward 33 years … >>

2008: Could it happen again? Let’s hope so. But after last night’s game, I have my doubts.

VOTE: Could it happen?

VIDEO: Come on and bum along with us

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Dallas v. Detroit, Game 2, is just starting and I gotta run ... but I gotta show you this video. It's not every day two editors get to shoot pucks at their boss.

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Don't lose faith yet, Stars fans. Winning at the Joe ain't easy. Yes, we all know Turco's record there as a pro. For the record, I'm sick of hearing his record there as a U of Michigan player. Can you say irrelevant reach on the part of Stars media relations? Anyway, I agree with Ralph and Razor: A split in Motown is about as much as the Stars can hope for in this series.

I must applaud the organ-I-zation (read with Canadian accent for full effect) for the game watching parties outside the AAC. What a great idea. If I lived a wee bit closer to downtown, I would have been there. Did any of y'all spread out under the 80-degree heat last night to catch Game 1? Those massive HD screens must've been awesome. If rain doesn't come Saturday, I might be out there for Game 2. After that, who knows. I'll have Versus up and rollin' at the 'rosa, just in time for the Stars to take two at home.

Speaking of series, Check out the new episode of "The Adventures of Kandace and Aly." And yes, I am still sore.

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If you don't know this stylish, handsome dude to the left, well, you're gonna. Don Cherry, affectionately known as Grapes, is a bit like mixing John Madden and Dale Hansen. He's opinionated, unapologetic and, at times, a complete messy trainwreck. You'll either love him or hate him when he starts his new gig with Barry "The MulletMan" Melrose on SportsCenter. Either way, you can't help watching. He took it to the U.S. masses during the Cup Finals last year. He held his tongue back a bit more than when he's on CBC

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