Canucks vs Avalanche

	vs
CANUCKS		AVALANCHE
2-2		3-0

The Aesthetics
This is another one of those tough calls. I like it when they come along. Despite having similar color schemes, the two logos are quite unique. It's nice to see. Both logos stem from a letter but in different ways. And both have action. You see an orca whale leaping out of the ice in one and a puck-led pile of snow falling across the other. It's a tough call to make, but I'm going wth the Avalanche.
Avalanche

The Nickname
Even a Canuck himself is no match for an Avalanche. Maybe one day they'll find him like the frozen man.
Avalanche

The Analysis
The Avs have the win so we might as well give them the sweep. Actually, they earned it. It's a solid logo that needs not make a fuss over its locale as the team name itself takes care of that. I'm still none the wiser as to the significance of a whale to a team named the Canucks despite the fairly obvious ties to its mother corporation Orca Bay. Make that one more for the 'Lanche.
Avalanche

WINNER

3-0

 

Canadiens vs Hurricanes

	vs
CANADIENS		HURRICANES
4-0		4-0

The Aesthetics
We're looking at a couple of very strong logos here, based on their records. It's hard to determine which is the more aesthetically pleasing of the two. I'm going with the Hurricanes with their more contemporary look. I think the Canadiens could stand to liven things up a bit.
Hurricanes

The Nickname
A Canadien wouldn't know his way around a Hurricane and would almost surely drown or be blown away.
Hurricanes

The Analysis
Both team names are appropriate enough that an element symbolizing the home city is not entirely necessary. As for the logos themselves, I'm a fan of subtlety and the Hurricanes logo has a puck while the Canadiens logo has an "H" which I've been told stands for "hockey." This is also a difficult decision but the Hurricanes is an undeniably great logo that may just be one of those classics.
Hurricanes

WINNER

3-0

 

Bruins vs Panthers

	vs
BRUINS		PANTHERS
1-1		3-1

The Aesthetics
This isn't really a hard point to award. The Bruins logo might have a better chance if it somehow incorporated an actual bruin. A bear as fierce as this cat would sure make for some stiff competition.
Panthers

The Nickname
Panther versus Bruin. Who wins? I think the bear has the upper hand what with its size and all.
Bruins

The Analysis
The only relevance the Bruins logo has to Boston is the spoked "B," although that could just as easily stand for Bruins. What I like about the Panthers is the name itself conjures the home town. All in all, the Panthers logo does a better job of representing its team.
Panthers

WINNER

2-1

 

Canadiens vs Maple Leafs

	vs
CANADIENS		MAPLE LEAFS
3-0		0-5

The Aesthetics
They're two of the most storied teams in the league and one of the biggest rivalries in all of professional sports. But when it comes to which of the two has a better logo, the answer is pretty clear.
Canadiens

The Nickname
A Canadien dude walking down the street crushes many Maple Leafs under his feet. That's just how it goes.
Canadiens

The Analysis
Both logos are simple but its the red that makes the Canadiens logo stand out. The spelled-out name only detracts from the Maple Leafs logo, because I think the leaf silhouette is great. I'm a little disappointed that simple letter "C" — with a subtle "H" hidden inside — is all that is meant to symbolize the team. But sometimes you get a name that's difficult to do more than a letter with. The Habs complete the sweep.
Canadiens

WINNER

3-0

 

Blue Jackets vs Canucks

	vs
BLUE JACKETS		CANUCKS
2-1		2-1

The Aesthetics
The Canucks have a unique color scheme and that gives them a leg up. Red, white and blue tends to be overused. I was never a fan of the electric green in the old Blue Jackets logo and I know these colors fit well, but still. Purely on looks, which logo would I rather be wearing?
Canucks

The Nickname
Blue Jackets carry bayonets and Canucks are, what, woodsman? So axes, then. Jackets win in a "war."
Blue Jackets

The Analysis
This is what you call a resounding point win. Look at these two logos and what they're meant to represent. A silver star draped in the Ohio flag for a team from Columbus named for the Union soldiers could be a more fitting logo. What's a Canuck? Well it sure isn't an orca whale or a Native American tribe.
Blue Jackets

WINNER

2-1

 

Stars vs Kings

	vs
STARS		KINGS
1-1		1-4

The Aesthetics
I like the unique colors seen in both logos but there are too many letters in the Stars logo. Plus I don't think a few tweaks here and there would hurt.
Kings

The Nickname
Again, all-consuming ball of fire. A Star would obliterate even the King. Are they going to win this one every time?
Stars

The Analysis
The Stars logo has a very Texas feel to it and that is more than admirable. Unfortunately those damn words keep bugging me. The Kings logo works in a pair of subtle hockey sticks which works for me but what it really does that's awesome: check out the subtle suns on both sides of the crown. Welcome to sunny California.
Kings

WINNER

2-1

 

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