Lightning vs Penguins

	vs
LIGHTNING		PENGUINS
3-4		0-5

The Aesthetics
Both logos have simple color schemes. The Lightning logo lacks the movement seen in the Penguins. The hockey stick gives it a demerit but the Lightning logo goes all out with the team name. That doesn't win points.
Penguins

The Nickname
If a Penguin got struck by Lightning, that would be that.
Lightning

The Analysis
Not only is the penguin in the Penguins logo carrying a hockey stick, but he's donning hockey gear with the gloves and skates. It's cute — if he's in a comic book, not on the front of a jersey. The '90s era logo was an improvement, though I am a fan of the Vegas gold. Fortunately for the Pens, despite all of that, the Lightning logo's use of a '90s era lettering and a flat yet 3-D bolt wins them the point.
Penguins

WINNER

2-1

 

Thrashers vs Devils

	vs
THRASHERS		DEVILS
4-3		7-1

The Aesthetics
The Devils have a great-looking logo by most standards, but it's very flat. Despite the hockey stick in the logo, this one goes to the Thrashers
Thrashers

The Nickname
The Devil is evil and powerful. A little bird like a Thrasher doesn't stand a chance.
Devils

The Analysis
Both logos are effective and appropriate and don't lose any points there. So we look to the underlying stuff like the subtle "NJ" in the Devils logo and the blatant and annoying hockey stick held by a bird in the Thrashers. I think you know where I'm going.
Devils

WINNER

2-1

 

Maple Leafs vs Devils

	vs
MAPLE LEAFS		DEVILS
1-7		6-1

The Aesthetics
The disparity in the records of these two logos is rather apparent. However, look at them and you think hockey instantly. I'd say that they're recognizable to almost anyone on the continent. Still, this point is about looks. I've said over and over again that the Maple Leafs logo would be great if not for the team name in it. That remains true. Perhaps we'll have something new presented to us this summer. No official word from the team yet.
Devils

The Nickname
Those little Maple Leafs keep getting the raw end of this deal. But then we are talking about the Devil. Everything up in flames.
Devils

The Analysis
Here we have classic hockey logos that have been around for decades. That doesn't mean they couldn't use an upgrade, though. The Devils logo is great and though it doesn't really need it, a slight modernization wouldn't hurt. The Maple Leafs, on the other hand, need to get their name out of their logo. Otherwise, the leaf silhouette is awesome. Maybe next time.
Devils

WINNER

3-0

 

Devils vs Capitals

	vs
DEVILS		CAPITALS
5-1		4-2

The Aesthetics
The Capitals logo is really not much more than a wordmark and it may be solely for that reason that the point here goes to the Devils. However, the Devils have a pretty killer logo and we'll say that's why they get the point.
Devils

The Nickname
Is the Devil even on the same level as a Capital? He could swallow the entire place into pit of fire.
Devils

The Analysis
This Capitals was just introduced less than a month ago by the team. I think it still needs work. Still, its one redeeming quality is the three stars above the word Washington. They represent the D.C. flag. However, they get a little drowned out by the blatant and unnecessary use of a hockey stick and puck. I'm all for tradition and remembering where you came from, but this is just bad. Regardless, I'm still loving the "NJ" that makes up the red devil in the Devils logo. I'm not saying it can't use an upgrade or "modernization" but it definitely wins this match.
Devils

WINNER

3-0

 

Flyers vs Thrashers

	vs
FLYERS		THRASHERS
4-7		3-3

The Aesthetics
You can tell these two logos come from very different eras. Both of are strong hockey logos but when it comes to the look and use of color, the Thrashers beat out the Flyers in that area despite the blatant use of a hockey stick.
Thrashers

The Nickname
You could say a Thrasher is a Flyer. But the Thrasher sounds much fiercer.
Thrashers

The Analysis
This is where the Thrashers logo gets in trouble for its hockey stick. At the same time, its where I give credit to the Flyers logo for the "P" that does Philly proud. I also like the simplicity in the Flyers logo but the sharp, tapered points in the Thrashers logo work in its favor. Still the Flyers have one of those classic sports logos that will be around forever, I'm sure.
Flyers

WINNER

2-1

 

Rangers vs Devils

	vs
RANGERS		DEVILS
2-7		4-1

The Aesthetics
These two teams don't play very far from each other. Just across a river, really. The logos are very simplistic and lack a lot of unnecessary detail. What makes this decision easy is that while the Rangers logo spells out the name of the team, the Devils logo actually uses a subtle "NJ" to reference the home town.
Devils

The Nickname
The Devil is pretty evil. He can wreak a lot of havoc on anyone, Rangers included.
Devils

The Analysis
I like the red, white and blue in the Rangers logo, but I just really think darker versions of blue and red would look so much better. See the third jersey's crest and its shoulder patch. The Devils have good, strong colors and hell, red seems to be doing rather well in this competition.
Devils

WINNER

3-0

 

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

 

Panthers vs Flyers

	vs
PANTHERS		FLYERS
5-1		4-6

The Aesthetics
Straight away, the Panthers logo seems a lot more striking. In comparison, the Flyers logo seems plain and colorless. Sometimes things aren't what they seem. But sometimes they are.
Panthers

The Nickname
Panthers can't Fly for more reasons than just that they haven't got any wings.
Flyers

The Analysis
Both logos are very appropriate to their teams. The colors aren't inherent but they work well. Only the Flyers logo makes a head fake toward recognizing the home city, but any favor they won there was lost with that lack of color problem they're having. Despite its strength, it's a bit of a dull logo to look at. And despite the minute details in the Panthers logo, it is interesting to look at and therefore wins this point.
Panthers

WINNER

2-1

 

Hurricanes vs Devils

	vs
HURRICANES		DEVILS
7-0		4-0

The Aesthetics
So there's black. There's white. And then of course there's red. Lots of red. It seems to make for unbeatable combination. Neither of these logos has yet to lose a match. Until today that is. For this match, we'll really have to get down to business. The reason I like the Hurricanes logo better than the Devils for this point speaks to the design itself. The Hurricanes logo leaves things to the eye to interpret. There's no thick, black outline telling you where everything is. Do you see what I mean? Or am I talking out of my ass?
Hurricanes

The Nickname
People in New Orleans and along the Gulf Coast probably think a Hurricane is the work of the Devil.
Devils

The Analysis
I'm almost convinced that its ths silver outlining the Hurricanes logo that makes it look so much cooler than the Devils. In the Devils logo, though, its the subtle "NJ" in the form of a devil that makes it cool. But then that puck in the eye of the hurricane. How will any logo ever beat it?
Hurricanes

WINNER

2-1

 

Islanders vs Panthers

	vs
ISLANDERS		PANTHERS
1-7		4-1

The Aesthetics
Despite the small detail in the Panthers logo, it's fairly obvious they're getting this point.
Panthers

The Nickname
These two aren't common foes, but a Panther could eat an Islander if he was hungry enough.
Panthers

The Analysis
As far as home town representations go, the outline of Long Island is giving the Islanders logo a leg up. Unfortunately for them, as far as overall logo designs go, the use of the team name, a hockey stick and a puck all take away too much. And how cool is that panther anyway?
Panthers

WINNER

3-0