Hurricanes vs Rangers

	vs
HURRICANES		RANGERS
3-0		2-3

The Aesthetics
Straight off, the Hurricanes is obviously the more attractive logo. And that's what this point is for. The Rangers logo gets a demerit for spelling out the name of the team.
Hurricanes

The Nickname
Hurricanes sweep up everything, Rangers included.
Hurricanes

The Analysis
The Hurricanes logo is solid, symbolizes the team name and has great colors. My only wish is that it was more circular, less oval-shaped. Still, the Rangers logo doesn't really do anything to help its case to prevent the sweep. The logo is indeed a classic and I would probably be roasted for bad-mouthing an Original Six logo, but it needs an update. It gets one every couple of decades and I feel like now is the time for another change. Go with the Statue of Liberty head. I keep telling you that. The Hurricanes remain the only perfect team so far in this tournament.
Hurricanes

WINNER

3-0

 

Stars vs Predators

	vs
STARS		PREDATORS
1-0		4-2

The Aesthetics
The Stars logo breaks a cardinal rule by spelling out the entire name. They all but forfeit the point just for that. But the Predators logo is just too cool to be beaten despite being a little heavy on the detail.
Predators

The Nickname
A Stars is a giant, all-consuming ball of fire, and if one fell to earth, not even a Predator would survive.
Stars

The Analysis
Both teams were given appropriate names, the Stars being a good adaptation of North Stars for the Lonestar state. The saber-toothed tiger works for Nashville since, if you weren't aware, the fossilized bones of one was found during construction of the team's arena. So it's a tough decision. Ultimately though, the Predators logo takes this point for its slick and scary design. (I wouldn't want to come face-to-face with that animal, extinct or otherwise.)
Predators

WINNER

2-1

 

Flyers vs Islanders

	vs
FLYERS		ISLANDERS
3-3		0-4

The Aesthetics
That's a lot of orange up there. We're almost going to have to start defaulting this point automatically to the team that does not use their name in the logo. The Flyers logo gets this point for showing a hair more creativity.
Flyers

The Nickname
I have no idea. We're just going to say that the Flyer is a nasty bird that poops on the Islander's head while he's out fishing.
Flyers

The Analysis
Here's where we have to give a little credit to the Islanders logo for the use of the map of Long Island. I would be thrilled if somehow the Flyers could work in the Liberty Bell or some other Philly landmark. Though I'm tempted to revoke this point from the Isles for the blatant use of a hockey stick and puck — the words notwithstanding. But I won't though, because this is where the Flyers falters.
Islanders

WINNER

2-1

 

Kings vs Avalanche

	vs
KINGS		AVALANCHE
1-3		2-0

The Aesthetics
This should be a pretty strong match-up. Both teams have great logos with off-the-beaten-path color schemes. Where else do you see purple and silver or blue and burgundy? But the Avalanche logo is more of a classic with a simpler design. I think it will be around forever. Kings logos seem to come and go.
Avalanche

The Nickname
I don't care what the King orders, an Avalanche could completely wipe out his kingdom.
Avalanche

The Analysis
A lot is good about both logos and it's difficult to say which is better but such is the task at hand. Nothing says "king" like a crown — which also works in subtle hockey sticks. An avalanche of snow is led down a mountain in the shape of an "A" by a very subtle puck. And you know how subtlety rocks my socks. It was not easy to award this point.
Avalanche

WINNER

3-0

 

Lightning vs Devils

	vs
LIGHTNING		DEVILS
1-2		2-0

The Aesthetics
Both logos have smart colors and designs stemming from circles. The Devils logo makes use of a very subtle "NJ" while there is nothing subtle about the Lightning logo. They're my team and I hate to see it, but they lose the point here.
Devils

The Nickname
You think the Devil is so all-powerful? He's got nothing on Lightning.
Lightning

The Analysis
The Lightning primary logo really has no redeeming qualities. Its one saving grace is on the shoulder with the words gone and a map of Florida in the background. If that were the primary, maybe we could talk. Despite no real representation of its home town, the Devils get this point for combining subtle letters with a strong, name-reflecting logo.
Devils

WINNER

2-1

 

Islanders vs Canadiens

	vs
ISLANDERS		CANADIENS
0-3		2-0

The Aesthetics
The Isles have yet to win match while the Habs have yet to lose. Let's see if anything changes. Now I like circular logos, but I hate the spelling out of team names. It seems so unnecessary. Logos that stem from a single letter are usually lazy but in this case, there's something special about the Canadiens.
Canadiens

The Nickname
I'm not sure why a fisherman and a Frenchman would ever come to blows, but in a straight-up fistfight, my money is on the Islander over the Canadien.
Islanders

The Analysis
The Canadiens logo is one of those old traditions so I'll probably get crucified for bad-mouthing it. But that's okay. I understand. I would just like to know what makes it unique to Montreal. At least the Islanders logo has a map of Long Island despite its use of both a hockey stick and puck. However its the very use of those two elements that defaults the point to the Canadiens.
Canadiens

WINNER

2-1

 

Blue Jackets vs Sharks

	vs
BLUE JACKETS		SHARKS
1-1		3-1

The Aesthetics
We've got a couple strong Western Conference logos here. Both pay attention to detail and have great colors but the Blue Jackets logo makes better use of it. Both logos have many pointy edges but ultimately I think it's the use of color that will make the difference for this point.
Blue Jackets

The Nickname
I'm not sure why a Blue Jacket and a Shark would ever have to confront the other but sharks eat people when provoked.
Sharks

The Analysis
As far as name symbolism, both logos are very appropriate. Despite there being no blue jackets in the logo, I think we all get it. The Ohio flag is a very nice touch in location recognition. I'm so glad the CBJ with the electric green went away. Whose idea was that anyway? This point may have gone to the Sharks except for the fact that I see no real connection to San Jose in it. That and the fact that there's a hockey stick in it and we certainly don't need that.
Blue Jackets

WINNER

2-1

 

Red Wings vs Flames

	vs
RED WINGS		FLAMES
1-3		3-0

The Aesthetics
For excellent use of color and simplicity over detail, this point goes happily to the Flames. The Red Wings could use a contemporary update to what is becoming a stale logo. Detroit fans, please don't lynch me. You know it's true.
Flames

The Nickname
Fire burns just about everything — even Red Wings would go up in Flames. End of story.
Flames

The Analysis
This is where the Red Wings logo can take the point. I really like the wheel attached to the wing. It shows a connection to the team's home city of Detroit. The Flames logo is top-notch, no doubt, but what in it symbolizes Calgary aside from the "C" which could symbolize any city whose name started with that letter? Maybe next time.
Red Wings

WINNER

2-1

 

Hurricanes vs Capitals

	vs
HURRICANES		CAPITALS
2-0		3-1

The Aesthetics
The Hurricanes logo is just better looking all around. Need I even bother getting into the bit about logos which are nothing more than a team name spelled out?
Hurricanes

The Nickname
The weather doesn't care about places. A Hurricane would blow the Capital away.
Hurricanes

The Analysis
I'm a big fan of the Caps' new colors — despite being one of the few people on earth who actually liked the blue and bronze. For the last time, it looked absolutely nothing like the USPS logo. Unless you're blind or something. Still we've been through why the Hurricanes logo is so befitting the name and why I think the U.S. Capitol dome was much more appropriate than three stars and 18 letters. I like the secondary logo for the Capitals better than this. Chalk up another sweep for the 'Canes.
Hurricanes

WINNER

3-0

 

Canucks vs Oilers

	vs
CANUCKS		OILERS
1-1		1-6

The Aesthetics
It's a Northwest Division showdown. The Canucks logo has great colors and a subtle "C" while the Oilers logo only has one of those two things. I'll let you figure out which.
Canucks

The Nickname
I'm trying to envision a fistfight between a Canuck and an Oiler. They're both rather rugged. It's a real crapshoot. But I bet the Canuck fights dirty. He gets the edge.
Canucks

The Analysis
Instead of a Canuck, all I'm seeing in this logo is a whale. When will that change? At least the Oilers logo has a copper drop of oil in it to represent the name of the team. Don't get me wrong, I love the Canucks logo but I can't find what relevance it has to the name of the club.
Oilers

WINNER

2-1

 

Senators vs Lightning

	vs
SENATORS		LIGHTNING
2-2		1-1

The Aesthetics
This point goes the way of the Senators for other reasons than just that the Lightning logo spells out the team's name. It's also overly simplistic — like something a five-year-old child would draw. The Senators logo has the power to strike fear.
Senators

The Nickname
A bolt of Lightning would strike a Senator dead — or at least unconscious.
Lightning

The Analysis
With Tampa considered by some to be the Lightning capital of the world, no name could be more appropriate. On the other hand, a better logo might be what's required. If only we could lose all the letters from it. Did you know there are 17? The Senators logo gets the point for a better depiction of its namesake.
Senators

WINNER

2-1

 

Flyers vs Devils

	vs
FLYERS		DEVILS
3-2		1-0

The Aesthetics
Both logos prominently feature black and white along with another color and subtle letters. But all you have to do is look at them to know the Devils logo is the cooler one.
Devils

The Nickname
The Devil could cut the Flyer's wings off with his pitchfork. That's becase he's pure evil.
Devils

The Analysis
So simple the way this tournament has been done, right? Simple is good in logos. These two are good examples of that. To rerpresent the names we have a winged "P" and red devil complete with horns and a pointy tail. Who's better? They're kind of on the same level, aren't they? Unfortunately for the Flyers, I've seen their alternate logo from the third jersey and it's better. They should switch to it full time.
Devils

WINNER

3-0

 

Tournament Analysis: Two Weeks

The tournament being two weeks ago today so now is as good a time as any to take a look at where things are.

Early League Leaders

The Predators and Blues lead the Central Division with 11 and 10 points respectively. Each has 6 matches under its belt. Only the Oilers have more with 7 and a record of 1-6. In a four-way points tie for third place league-wide are the Wild, Panthers, Capitals and Sharks, each with 8 points. The Wild are 3-0 while the other three teams are 3-1. But as per tournament rules, it doesn't really matter who leads the league in the end — only who finished at the top of their divisions. It will be those six teams plus a wild card that move on to the Championship Tournament.

If The Playoffs Were Tomorrow...
Just two weeks in, it's impossible to tell who will make it to the Championship Tournament. Anything can happen. But that doesn't mean its not fun to think about it anyway. If you need a refresher on how to determine who moves on to the next tournament, read this.


EAST At this point in the Atlantic, the Flyers and Rangers are shoo-ins. But let's not forget the Devils have played only one match. The Northeast is led by the Sabres and Senators with the Canadiens and Bruins each with just two matches played. Atop the Southeast are the Panthers and Capitals with the Hurricanes and Lightning having played only two matches each. Regardless of how unfair it would be consider since teams are rather uneven in the number of matches played, we'll do it anyway. If they playoffs started tomorrow, the following teams would move on from the Eastern Conference: the Flyers, Rangers, Sabres, Senators, Panthers, Capitals and Hurricanes.


WEST In the Central, the Predators and Blues are running away with the show. The Wild and Flames sit atop the Northwest while the Sharks and Kings lead in the Pacific. The Stars and Coyotes join the Devils among the clubs with the fewest matches played — having just one each. So if the playoffs began tomorrow, the following Western Conference teams would be eligible: the Predators, Blues, Wild, Flames, Sharks, Kings and Oilers.

But friends, we've only just begun. This will be a marathon tournament that won't end until almost the middle of August. So if your team hasn't made a good showing yet, there's still plenty of time...

The Baddest Of The Bad

...unless they just have a really bad logo. This tournament awards points to teams even when they lose a match. If you lose 2-1, you still get that one point. But if you lose 3-0, you obviously get no points. At this point in the competition, the Ducks have had 4 matches yet have exactly no points to show for it. Sadly, I just don't see them advancing very high in the Pacific Division. Other noteworthy bombs seem to be out of the East, in the form of the Maple Leafs, Penguins and Islanders. These are all teams without a single win. The Blackhawks, Red Wings and Oilers aren't doing much better, each having just one win along with a handful of losses. (This, despite the Oilers being eligible for the playoffs at this point. And that's only because more matches equal more possible points.)

Sitting On The Fence

Then there are the teams who haven't quite been awesome or abyssmal. The Bruins, Thrashers, Lightning, Blue Jackets and Canucks each have as many wins as losses to this point in the tournament. But anything can happen. Keep an eye out for their future progress. They could go up or down — or just stick to the middle of the road all the way through.

But Now Back To The Best

Were you wondering who's kicking ass and taking names? Well to this point that would be the Hurricanes and Stars. They've swept their only matches to this point and are the only teams with "perfect" records. The Hurricanes have two matches and the Stars have one. Other teams are undefeated and they are the Devils, Canadiens, Wild, Flames, Avalanche and Coyotes.

Early Summary
I would do a bit of predictions here but that would be a little unfair considering I'll be the one deciding the fates of each logo as I continue to write every match of the tournament. Instead I'll just say that it has been going very well so far. I've been happy with the readership since the tournament began. According to my stats, we've been averaging about 70 to 80 hits a day. It's not overwhelming and I'd sure love to see more visitors, but I'll take what I can get. I just hope that those of you who keep coming back are enjoying the nonsense I keep coming up with — that and the news on new logos and Rbk EDGE jerseys.

Changes

The Capitals unveiled a new logo on June 22. It took effect in the tournament on June 23 when they faced the Islanders. The Bruins unveiled their new logo on June 21. Their first match after that date was on June 25 against the Maple Leafs. The Blue Jackets also unveiled new uniforms and made the official announcement that the old third jersey logo would now be the team's primary mark. That logo has been used since the beginning of this tournament.