Sabres vs Penguins

	vs
SABRES		PENGUINS
3-3		0-4

The Aesthetics
As far as looks, the Sabres have one of the sharpest logos in sports despite its absolute irrelevance. It's got strong colors and really jumps out at you. The Penguins logo sort of blends in and gets bogged down in minute details. The '90s logo was much better. I do, however, like the gold more than the yellow.
Sabres

The Nickname
A Penguin is a little flightless bird. A Sabre is a rather sharp instrument used for cutting. You do the math.
Sabres

The Analysis
This is where the Sabres have yet to notch a point in the standings and the reason they can't seem to pull off a sweep. It's not a Sabre! As a young Florida kid just learning about hockey, I swear I remember thinking a sabre was a kind of bison. And it was thanks to the damn logo. I'm not a Sabres fan (though I know they hate the logo), but I think it needs to be changed. John Slabyk is an excellent artist. The Penguins logo, however, actually has a penguin in it. He's carrying a hockey stick which doesn't impress me, but nonetheless, we'll take it.
Penguins

WINNER

2-1

 

Red Wings vs Ducks

	vs
RED WINGS		DUCKS
1-6		1-6

The Aesthetics
Despite using just one color, the Red Wings logo is at least a logo. The Ducks "wordmark" — despite earning a win yesterday — is still not really a logo in my opinion. I like the colors and the webbed duck foot for the "D" as I've been saying, but that doesn't change the overriding facts.
Red Wings

The Nickname
Ducks have wings, not Red Wings, but wings and more.
Ducks

The Analysis
The Red Wings often get this point for the wheel attached to the wing symbolizing Detroit as the Motor City. Unfortunately, the Ducks logo makes only a lamely blatant attempt at referencing Anaheim by actually writing out the name.
Red Wings

WINNER

2-1

 

Panthers vs Maple Leafs

	vs
PANTHERS		MAPLE LEAFS
6-1		1-6

The Aesthetics
Look at the contrast in these two logos sitting side-by-side. But let's be honest, which logo draws your eye better? While you could say the Panthers logo goes overboard on detail, you would have to say the Maple Leafs logo is sorely lacking in that category. And if that wasn't enough to give this point to the Panthers, the 17 letters in the Maple Leafs logo are.
Panthers

The Nickname
It's a Panther, you know, with razor sharp teeth and claws. And a Maple Leaf which has probably wilted and fallen from a tree. Sometimes things are obvious.
Panthers

The Analysis
While it's true that I've always liked the leaf silhouette, I'm turned off by the words inside it. There's so much that could be done with it. Add an outline. Perhaps a noteworthy landmark from Toronto like the CN Tower. Something to liven it up. But until the day comes when that happens, the Panthers will steal this point for the sweep.
Panthers

WINNER

3-0

 

Blackhawks vs Wild

	vs
BLACKHAWKS		WILD
2-6		5-0

The Aesthetics
More times than I'd like to admit I've explained the problems inherent with the Blackhawks logo. And all the reasons I love the Wild logo. But all you really have to do is look at the two of them right next to each other to know who deserves this point. Creativity gets the Wild this point.
Wild

The Nickname
You're nuts if you don't think Chief Blackhawk knows his way around the Wild.
Blackhawks

The Analysis
What you see is what you get when it comes to these teams' names. The logos are appropriate symbols for the names but one clearly does it better than the other. Simplify the Indian head, already! You can do it, Chicago! I believe in you. Meanwhile, like I said yesterday, the Wild logo more than goes out of its way to fit in so many little bits that you can look at it a million times and see something new every time. That's what a logo really should be.
Wild

WINNER

2-1