Panthers vs Hurricanes

	vs
PANTHERS		HURRICANES
9-1		9-0

The Aesthetics
These two logos lead the Southeast Division and sit among the top 5 in the league at this late point in the tournament. The Hurricanes logo has managed to fare perfect so far in this category. But that ends today. There's little doubt that the 'Canes have a strong logo, but the Panthers logo almost literally jumps out at you. It's got a great color combination and a fiercec look.
Panthers

The Nickname
A Hurricane is Mother Nature's way of taking out her aggression. To her, a Panther is just another cat with nowhere to hide.
Hurricanes

The Analysis
It all comes down to the analysis. Despite the detail when you get up close to it, nothing about the Panthers logo is lost when you have to view it with less detail. The Hurricanes logo is simple and even works in a subtle puck as the storm's eye — something I really like. Then there's the fact that both teams are so appropriately named that there's no need to reference the home city specifically in the logo. It all comes down to the shape, now. I would like the Hurricanes logo even more if it were more circular. The oval shape makes the puck fit well, but there's no reason you couldn't be looking at the puck from above rather than at an angle. This logo is finally dealt a hit as it loses its first match.
Panthers

WINNER

2-1

 

Sabres vs Lightning

	vs
SABRES		LIGHTNING
5-3		4-5

The Aesthetics
I don't think this requires a whole lot of scrutiny. The Sabres logo obviously is a much better-looking logo than the Lightning's. If you need an explanation, try and see past all the words in the Lightning logo. Bet you can't.
Sabres

The Nickname
You know, metal is a good conductor of electricity. Still, a bolt of Lightning would fry even the toughest of Sabres.
Lightning

The Analysis
All this time I've been saying that the logo for a team called the "Sabres" conspicuously lacks, you know, a sabre. Turns out, I've been wrong all this time. A reader here recently pointed out to me that there is in fact a very subtle sword across the side of the buffalo. The white horn is the handle and the blue stripe protruding from it is the blade. I think that's really cool. However! It's the name of the team. It shouldn't be subtle. It should be right out there in the open. Make the buffalo subtle. At least there's a lightning bolt in the Lightning logo.
Lightning

WINNER

2-1

 

Penguins vs Panthers

	vs
PENGUINS		PANTHERS
2-6		8-1

The Aesthetics
The Panthers logo looks downright scary, let's just be clear on that. The Penguins logo makes an attempt at looking mean but it's feeble at best. I don't think it should be carrying a hockey stick and wearing old-fashioned gloves. I also think the secondary logo would be an improvement, which it was for a time until the Pens returned to this one.
Panthers

The Nickname
A Panther could eat a Penguin for lunch without even trying that hard.
Panthers

The Analysis
Both logos depict their namesake well without bothering to indicate the home town. It's not necessary for the Panthers, but it wouldn't hurt the Penguins. Now if the penguin could just put that annoying stick down we'd all be better off. The Panthers logo engages in quite a bit of minutia and it would be nice if they had a simpler version of the cat. Failing that, it's still a winner. The Panthers logo should be around for a long time. It's become a great hockey symbol in its 14 years.
Panthers

WINNER

3-0

 

Devils vs Canadiens

	vs
DEVILS		CANADIENS
11-1		7-2

The Aesthetics
With only a single match remaining after today, the Devils have proven to be a real contender among the NHL's best logos. I'm rather impressed, actually. It's difficult to say which logo should get this point. The color schemes are very appropriate to each and feature cool, subtle letters. The reason I'm going with the Devils logo is that its subtle letters actually form the devil. That's the makings of a good logo.
Devils

The Nickname
We've discussed what an evil bastard the Devil is. Even Canadiens aren't exempt from the wrath of his wretchedness.
Devils

The Analysis
While it could be open to discussion as to which logo really earned this point, I'm going to say the Canadiens logo deserves it. The mysterious "H" inside the "C" was finally revealed recently by a reader. I was hoping to save it for the Canadiens' last match of the tournament, but we can give it up here in number 10. It stands for "Les Habitants," a French message for the fans dating back to the club's early days. Where's the subtle message in the Devils' logo?
Canadiens

WINNER

2-1

 

Senators vs Hurricanes

	vs
SENATORS		HURRICANES
4-4		8-0

The Aesthetics
The Hurricanes logo has been unbeatable to this point in the tournament. It's a strong logo that's simple and sharp. The Senators logo gets a bit bogged down in detail and probably won't even be in existence much longer.
Hurricanes

The Nickname
Mother Nature tends to leave a path of destruction in her wake when a Hurricane is involved. Even Senators aren't safe.
Hurricanes

The Analysis
Neither logo makes an effort at representing their home city. The Hurricanes name, though, at least gives you a hint to the geographical region. Plus, I'm a big fan of the puck used as the eye of the storm. Chalk up another sweep for the 'Canes.
Hurricanes

WINNER

3-0

 

Bruins vs Islanders

	vs
BRUINS		ISLANDERS
4-2		1-9

The Aesthetics
There certainly are a lot of circles before us today. And within said circles are letters. Were I to go about this arbitrarily, I'd say the logo with the fewest letters contained within the circle should get this point. But to be arbitrary is wrong. The Bruins logo gets it because the Islanders logo features more than a few of my aesthetic pet peeves, such as a hockey stick, puck and the team name written out.
Bruins

The Nickname
Islanders and Bruins are both known for doing in fish, but one-on-one, I think the larger bear has the upper hand.
Bruins

The Analysis
Often I've awarded this point to the Islanders for the outline of Long Island found in orange in the background of the logo. That'll continue today as what annoys me about the Bruins logo is its lack of an actual bruin. The scary bear on the new shoulder patches would work, but that's not in competition here.
Islanders

WINNER

2-1

 

Senators vs Devils

	vs
SENATORS		DEVILS
4-3		10-1

The Aesthetics
The Devils logo is simpler but the additional color in the Senators logo gives it extra layers. This is not meant to take away from the clever design of the Devils logo but rather to highlight how using more than two colors can be effective.
Senators

The Nickname
The Devil is one evil son of a bitch. A Senator doesn't have anything on him.
Devils

The Analysis
It's the subtle "NJ" making up the devil that will help give the Devils this point. As far as the Senators logo, it's nice but it could be better. I do like the third jersey version better and rumor has it that an updated version of that will be donning the crest of the Sens new unis this season. Until we find out for sure, this point is not for them.
Devils

WINNER

2-1

 

Capitals vs Sabres

	vs
CAPITALS		SABRES
4-4		4-3

The Aesthetics
The Capitals logo, as discussed is a wordmark with a hockey stick and a puck and that is the opposite of what's required to take this point. On top of that, the Sabres actually have a rather aesthetically strong logo.
Sabres

The Nickname
I can't really think of how to compare Capitals and Sabres, but let's say an army of Sabre-wielding anarchists stormed the Capital. They would probably overwhelm the lawmakers.
Sabres

The Analysis
Sabres fans everywhere have bemoaned the "Buffaslug" all year, begging for a change. I agree in that the team could do better, perhaps in merely placing an actual sabre in the logo would be an improvement. It's the reason why the team hasn't earned this point all tournament. That won't change today. Despite the Capitals logo being a glorified wordmark, the three stars representing Maryland, Virginia and the District will win me over in this match.
Capitals

WINNER

2-1

 

Thrashers vs Maple Leafs

	vs
THRASHERS		MAPLE LEAFS
4-6		1-9

The Aesthetics
The Thrashers logo is so much better looking than the Maple Leafs. And I say that despite the hockey stick the bird is holding. What's worse is the team name completely spelled out in the Leafs logo. I've said before how the Maple Leafs can improve without scaring lifelong fans away. It is possible, believe it or not.
Thrashers

The Nickname
I've never heard of a Maple Leaf hurting a Thrasher. The Thrasher, on the other hand, has some nasty claws.
Thrashers

The Analysis
Neither logo is really strong in this category. Here's the thing, though. When you look at the two, which is easier to guess the home city of, if you didn't already know it? If we're ignoring the fact that Toronto is spelled out in the Maple Leafs logo, the maple leaf itself is a dead giveaway for Canada. It would be pretty impossible to guess where the Thrashers come from.
Maple Leafs

WINNER

2-1

 

Lightning vs Capitals

	vs
LIGHTNING		CAPITALS
3-5		4-3

The Aesthetics
While the Lightning logo may include an annoying wordmark, the Capitals logo is almost nothing but a wordmark. And not even a very good one. I like the Capitals' new colors, but I don't like what they did with them.
Lightning

The Nickname
If Lightning struck the Capital, it could all go up in flames.
Lightning

The Analysis
Both logos spell out the team name so it comes down to the more subtle elements. And in that area, the Capitals logo has a hockey stick and a puck. Still, I'm a fan of the three stars about the word "Washington." The Lightning logo, on the other hand, has no such subtle elements. Now if we were looking at the secondary, it has an outline of the state of Florida which is a nice touch. But we're not. No sweep for the Bolts here.
Capitals

WINNER

2-1