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