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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

Islanders vs Sabres

	vs
ISLANDERS		SABRES
0-2		2-1

The Aesthetics
As much as Sabres fans in general have made well known their distaste for the new logo, it's actually a very strong sports team logo. Simple design, great colors. The Islanders, however, make use of an unnecessary hockey stick and puck. We already know it's a hockey team.
Sabres

The Nickname
Could an Islander really defend himself against a Sabre-wielding swordsman? I think not.
Sabres

The Analysis
Here is where the Islanders avoid getting swept. The map of Long Island in the background of the logo is great and the classic design is very recognizable. Unfortunately in a logo for the Sabres, there isn't a sword in sight. Why, I wonder. Why must every team from Buffalo use the animal in the primary logo? Stop it, already.
Islanders

WINNER

2-1

 

Thrashers vs Penguins

	vs
THRASHERS		PENGUINS
1-2		0-2

The Aesthetics
Neither team has been very strong in the tournament up to this point, but it's still early for them. Again we see a pair of logos which prominently feature hockey sticks. It's a hockey team so that is just too obvious for my taste. Regardless of that, in my humble opinion, the Thrashers logo is cooler.
Thrashers

The Nickname
The Thrashers is a bird of flight but the Penguin is a bird of non-flight. The Thrasher could taunt the Penguin if either ever made it into the same climate zone.
Thrashers

The Analysis
Neither logo does a good job of representing their city, but my eye is just more attracted to the Thrashers logo for its use of multiple colors. Don't get me wrong, I like the Vegas gold in the Penguins logo, but they aren't going to beat the Thrashers.
Thrashers

WINNER

3-0

 

Islanders vs Capitals

	vs
ISLANDERS		CAPITALS
0-0		0-0

The Aesthetics
The Capitals' new logo debuts in the tournament today — a day after being officially unveiled — and sadly, there's nothing very impressive about it. Both logos manage to spell out the team names completely. And both incorporate a hockey stick. And a puck! Completely unnecessary, in my opnion. Neither team should get this point. But somebody has to. The Islanders logo is a lot easier on the eyes in comparison.
Islanders

The Nickname
It's in the Capital where laws are written that might affect Islanders and perhaps what fish they're allowed to catch or not catch. I suppose.
Capitals

The Analysis
As I mentioned in Aesthetics, both logos have hockey sticks, pucks and the team name spelled out. The difference (aside from color) is how they incorporate representations of their home towns. We have an orange map of Long Island on one which is fairly obvious. On the other we have a very subtle ode to D.C. with three stars above Washington which are culled from the District of Columbia flag. I love subtlety in logos.
Capitals

WINNER

2-1

 

Panthers vs Devils

	vs
PANTHERS		DEVILS
3-0		0-0

The Aesthetics
Finally, the Devils have a match. And things are looking up already. You have the subtle "NJ" along with a simple, fear-inspiring design gives them the edge over the Panthers logo. It may seem like I hate all logos with small details, but that's just not the case. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't. Normally it would work for the Panthers, but just look at that Devils logo.
Devils

The Nickname
The Devil could strike a Panther dead if it ever tried to attack. Yeah, he's that powerful.
Devils

The Analysis
Here's where the Panthers avoid the sweep. They are a very aptly named team. There's nothing wrong with the Devils, but I feel like that gets used a lot. Perhaps the Devils can get this point against another team.
Panthers

WINNER

2-1

 

Rangers vs Panthers

	vs
RANGERS		PANTHERS
2-2		2-0

The Aesthetics
One is arguably too detailed and one is arguably too simplistic. My argument is the Rangers logo utilizes 14 letters and I'm not a fan of that as you well know. This point goes to the Panthers.
Panthers

The Nickname
It's nice to be a park ranger in a league filled with animal mascots. The Ranger protects the endangered Panthers and their habitat and so has the upper hand in this relationship. Count it.
Rangers

The Analysis
When looking at a logo for the Rangers, a shield of some sort is probably the smartest choice. But times have changed and this logo desperately needs a rejuvenation. It has one if you check the shoulder of the team's third jersey. In fact, check the crest on that jersey and let's just go with that one. But more than that, the Panthers logo is cooler than almost anything.
Panthers

WINNER

2-1