Penguins vs Hurricanes

	vs
PENGUINS		HURRICANES
3-9		11-1

The Aesthetics
Can you believe it? The last day of the tournament is Friday! I wish I could be of more help Penguins fans, but we're talking about the Hurricanes here. The puck is the eye of the storm. Doesn't that just say it all? The scowling penguin has a hockey stick. And gloves. And he's wearing skates! What did you guys call that '90s logo? A pigeon? I thought it was a good logo but what do I know anyway?
Hurricanes

The Nickname
I don't know that Penguins get a lot of Hurricanes in their natural habitats, but I'm pretty sure they'd be blown away (literally) if they did.
Hurricanes

The Analysis
I understand the Penguins logo and its significance to Pittsburgh. But I can't seem to get beyond the hockey gear on the little bird. I'm sorry. And it's not like I don't like the logo. Every time I see it all I can think of is Mario Lemieux. But sadly, that's not enough. The Hurricanes logo kicks ass, carrying on the tradition of the old Hartford Whalers.
Hurricanes

WINNER

3-0

 

Canadiens vs Sabres

	vs
CANADIENS		SABRES
8-4		6-6

The Aesthetics
The blue abounds. This competition isn't based on tradition (or else most teams wouldn't even get a fair shot) so don't think I'm picking the Canadiens logo just because it's been around as long as dirt. It's got good, strong colors and is very clearly defined. Often people have a hard time discerning what the Sabres logo is as the creature appears to have no legs. Let's move on.
Canadiens

The Nickname
Unless the Canadien was a strong swordsman, a Sabre would likely end him.
Sabres

The Analysis
Once again the Sabres lose the point because the actual team name seems to have been more of an afterthought in designing this logo. Yes, it's supposed to be a buffalo but I'm not buying the blue sabre across its back. The Canadiens have a solid image which has withstood the test of time. I don't want to get into the whole "H" debate again, though, so I'll just leave that be and say that's why the Canadiens logo earns this point.
Canadiens

WINNER

2-1

 

Senators vs Panthers

	vs
SENATORS		PANTHERS
5-6		11-2

The Aesthetics
There's a lot of detail in each logo but it doesn't really get bogged down in it. But still, that panther is scary. We're anticipating a logo change for the Senators, but could it really be better than the Panthers?
Panthers

The Nickname
It's a Senator who sits in his government office making laws to protect animals such as the Panther. He, therefore, has the upper hand in this relationship.
Senators

The Analysis
These two teams have nicknames that are associated with their city, so a logo that references it specifically is doing double duty. The Florida panther is from Florida. Ottawa is the capital oif Canada where government representatives get together. But in the Senators logo, you could say there's a gold "O" for Ottawa and a red "C" for Canada. Or at least that's what I'm telling people. And the Panthers are done for this tournament.
Senators

WINNER

2-1

 

Hurricanes vs Sabres

	vs
HURRICANES		SABRES
10-1		6-5

The Aesthetics
These two logos are definitely in the same league. The colors may be different but the designs are very similar. Notice how they're both outlined in silver. Weird. Anyway, I'm partial to the puck in the eye of the storm in the Hurricanes logo.
Hurricanes

The Nickname
I'm not sure a swordfight is the wisest thing to do in a Hurricane. Those winds can make blunt object deadly. Imagine what it could do with a sharpened Sabre.
Hurricanes

The Analysis
I've said before that the Sabres logo makes for a very strong sports symbol. The problem it has here is that its more buffalo than sabre. At least with the Hurricanes, at least you get a hurricane. But really, how can you deny the impressiveness of the 'Canes logo? Like I've said, the only thing I'd change is the aspect. Make it a little rounder — like an actual hurricane.
Hurricanes

WINNER

3-0

 

Panthers vs Canadiens

	vs
PANTHERS		CANADIENS
11-1		7-4

The Aesthetics
That panther makes for one fierce logo. Unfortunately for the Panthers, though, simplicity is going to win the day for the Canadiens logo. There's a profound quality to it that's hard to describe which likely stems from the fact that it's only been around since the beginning of time itself. No, I'm not usually one to bend to the irritating whim of tradition, but what can I say? I'm helpless against the force today.
Canadiens

The Nickname
On the other hand, a hungry Panther would totally eat a Canadien for breakfast.
Panthers

The Analysis
The Panthers logo speaks for itself, but not necessarily Florida or Miami. Whatever. The Canadiens logo speaks French to me, although there's been some debate about the meaning of the "H" here among the readers at the NHLToL. And when I say "debate," I of course mean me being a smartass. Now once and for all, may I state my opinion here before ultimately giving this point to the Habs. I understand that back in the day (1917 to be precise, right?), the "H" stood for hockey as the team was called Le Club de Hockey Canadien or something to that effect. However, my (ignorant?) stance is that in today's world where the team is more commonly known as the Habs, why can't the logo evolve to take on new meanings? I'm actually asking if anyone has a good reason why that makes absolutely no sense. Because I'm sure that's the case.
Canadiens

WINNER

2-1

 

Bruins vs Devils

	vs
BRUINS		DEVILS
8-3		12-1

The Aesthetics
I was going to make a comment about how both of these logos have circles for primary elements. But what's wrong with circles, anyway? They've long made for great logos worldwide in every aspect. Anyway, they each also have letters inside their circles. Though, here's where I think I'd be more impressed if the "B" formed some sort of bruin since the "NJ" manages to form a devil. Good stuff.
Devils

The Nickname
Devil, all-powerful, et cetera. Bruin, itty-bitty bear in comparison. Fire, brimstone, hell, move on. Stupid Satan. Go ahead, smite me with your pitchfork! (Okay, that's enough.)
Devils

The Analysis
I don't know what it is that makes the Bruins logo stand out so much. Maybe its the thick black lines over yellow. Not that the Devils logo has nothing to offer. This is a tough one. But I have yet to actual mention this so I'm going to take this opportunity. It's been pointed out to me that the spokes behind the "B" form a wheel, a hub if you will. And why is this significant? In fact, Oliver Wendell Holmes referred to the State House in Boston as the "hub of the solar system." Long story short: It stuck. And here we are. The Hub of Hockey. End of the road for the Devils, by the way. Count 'em up.
Bruins

WINNER

2-1

 

Panthers vs Sabres

	vs
PANTHERS		SABRES
10-1		6-4

The Aesthetics
I wonder if the Panthers logo might just be the most fear-inspiring in the league. I almost said scary. But it's the "Buffaslug" that's scary. But as far as it being a good sports logo, it's a tough call — even though Sabres fans hate it. But come on, is there realy a question here?
Panthers

The Nickname
In the hands of an experienced swordsman, a Sabre is rather dangerous, even to a Panther.
Sabres

The Analysis
Look, the animals in both logos have red eyes. Creepy. Anyway, panther? Check. Sabre? Sort of, check. It's been pointed out there's a very subtle blue sword extending from the horn on the buffalo which doubles as the sword's handle. I kind of see it. But the Panther is much cooler.
Panthers

WINNER

2-1

 

Lightning vs Bruins

	vs
LIGHTNING		BRUINS
6-5		7-3

The Aesthetics
The Bruins have a logo that despite only minor changes, is significantly improved. The Lightning logo spells out the team name. And if the rumors of the new logo hold to be true, at least one of those words will be removed. Anyway, no point for the Bolts here.
Bruins

The Nickname
Not even a Bruin could withstand getting struck by a bolt of Lightning.
Lightning

The Analysis
At least there's a bolt of Lightning in that logo. There's no bear in the Bruins logo. But that can't be the only factor for this point. The Bruins logo is just much bolder. I think it makes a better logo. Maybe the Lightning can make an improvement when they unveil theirs later this month.
Bruins

WINNER

2-1

 

Flyers vs Capitals

	vs
FLYERS		CAPITALS
5-8		4-8

The Aesthetics
Hey, speaking of the Capitals. A dissenter (Pens fan) among you recently commented that I was a "bandwagon hockey fan" because my personal preferences lean away from liking his team's logo. He called me a Capitals fan. I'm sure he didn't mean any offense to Caps fans. Anyway, if you are one, don't be offended by my distaste for your team's logo. I like the new colors, but wordmarks don't work for me.
Flyers

The Nickname
You suppose some Flying creatures could attack a Capital city? It would be like a remake of the Alfred Hitchcock movie. (You come up with something better.)
Flyers

The Analysis
I like the three stars on the top of the Capitals logo but that's about its sole redeeming quality in my eyes. They're blurry. That's why I wear glasses. The "P" in the Flyers logo does a better job of subtly referencing its home city. And that I like. There are other things too that I've mentioned in past matches, but we'll leave that for now. It's the end of the tournament for the Flyers. They'll finish with a sweep.
Flyers

WINNER

3-0

 

Penguins vs Senators

	vs
PENGUINS		SENATORS
3-8		4-6

The Aesthetics
Both of these teams seem to like a little gold with their black but it's the Senators who add in the red to make the logo stand out a bit more. The Penguins logo just feels so flat. And there's the penguin wearing the hockey gear.
Senators

The Nickname
Since Senators make the laws, it seems to me that they have the upper hand on the Penguins as they could choose to protect them or not.
Senators

The Analysis
The better features of these two logos have recently been pointed out to me by readers. The golden triangle has significance to Pittsburgh. Also the gold circle in the Senators logo makes an "O" for Ottawa while you could say the red galea creates a "C" to symbolize Canada. If that's the case, it means the Maple Leafs and Oilers are the only Canadian teams not to work in a "C" of some sort. But I digress. The point is, the Penguins logo comes off like a '60s cartoon to me (go ahead, take your shots now). I'll go with the centurion.
Senators

WINNER

3-0