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

 

Blue Jackets vs Sharks

	vs
BLUE JACKETS		SHARKS
1-1		3-1

The Aesthetics
We've got a couple strong Western Conference logos here. Both pay attention to detail and have great colors but the Blue Jackets logo makes better use of it. Both logos have many pointy edges but ultimately I think it's the use of color that will make the difference for this point.
Blue Jackets

The Nickname
I'm not sure why a Blue Jacket and a Shark would ever have to confront the other but sharks eat people when provoked.
Sharks

The Analysis
As far as name symbolism, both logos are very appropriate. Despite there being no blue jackets in the logo, I think we all get it. The Ohio flag is a very nice touch in location recognition. I'm so glad the CBJ with the electric green went away. Whose idea was that anyway? This point may have gone to the Sharks except for the fact that I see no real connection to San Jose in it. That and the fact that there's a hockey stick in it and we certainly don't need that.
Blue Jackets

WINNER

2-1

 

Red Wings vs Flames

	vs
RED WINGS		FLAMES
1-3		3-0

The Aesthetics
For excellent use of color and simplicity over detail, this point goes happily to the Flames. The Red Wings could use a contemporary update to what is becoming a stale logo. Detroit fans, please don't lynch me. You know it's true.
Flames

The Nickname
Fire burns just about everything — even Red Wings would go up in Flames. End of story.
Flames

The Analysis
This is where the Red Wings logo can take the point. I really like the wheel attached to the wing. It shows a connection to the team's home city of Detroit. The Flames logo is top-notch, no doubt, but what in it symbolizes Calgary aside from the "C" which could symbolize any city whose name started with that letter? Maybe next time.
Red Wings

WINNER

2-1

 

Hurricanes vs Capitals

	vs
HURRICANES		CAPITALS
2-0		3-1

The Aesthetics
The Hurricanes logo is just better looking all around. Need I even bother getting into the bit about logos which are nothing more than a team name spelled out?
Hurricanes

The Nickname
The weather doesn't care about places. A Hurricane would blow the Capital away.
Hurricanes

The Analysis
I'm a big fan of the Caps' new colors — despite being one of the few people on earth who actually liked the blue and bronze. For the last time, it looked absolutely nothing like the USPS logo. Unless you're blind or something. Still we've been through why the Hurricanes logo is so befitting the name and why I think the U.S. Capitol dome was much more appropriate than three stars and 18 letters. I like the secondary logo for the Capitals better than this. Chalk up another sweep for the 'Canes.
Hurricanes

WINNER

3-0

 

Canucks vs Oilers

	vs
CANUCKS		OILERS
1-1		1-6

The Aesthetics
It's a Northwest Division showdown. The Canucks logo has great colors and a subtle "C" while the Oilers logo only has one of those two things. I'll let you figure out which.
Canucks

The Nickname
I'm trying to envision a fistfight between a Canuck and an Oiler. They're both rather rugged. It's a real crapshoot. But I bet the Canuck fights dirty. He gets the edge.
Canucks

The Analysis
Instead of a Canuck, all I'm seeing in this logo is a whale. When will that change? At least the Oilers logo has a copper drop of oil in it to represent the name of the team. Don't get me wrong, I love the Canucks logo but I can't find what relevance it has to the name of the club.
Oilers

WINNER

2-1

 

Senators vs Lightning

	vs
SENATORS		LIGHTNING
2-2		1-1

The Aesthetics
This point goes the way of the Senators for other reasons than just that the Lightning logo spells out the team's name. It's also overly simplistic — like something a five-year-old child would draw. The Senators logo has the power to strike fear.
Senators

The Nickname
A bolt of Lightning would strike a Senator dead — or at least unconscious.
Lightning

The Analysis
With Tampa considered by some to be the Lightning capital of the world, no name could be more appropriate. On the other hand, a better logo might be what's required. If only we could lose all the letters from it. Did you know there are 17? The Senators logo gets the point for a better depiction of its namesake.
Senators

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

 

Lightning vs Hurricanes

	vs
LIGHTNING		HURRICANES
1-0		1-0

The Aesthetics
We have a Southeast Division battle on our hands. Mad props to the Hurricanes for not spelling out the team name as well as what I would consider to be the subtle use of a puck in the eye of the storm. Now I may be hypocritical about many things but here's the thing: subtlety in logos rocks! You have to look at it over and over again so if you discover something new each time, you've got yourself a winner.
Hurricanes

The Nickname
You know, you would think these two go hand-in-hand right. Well as any gulf coast resident can tell you, there is no Lightning in a Hurricane. Just wind to blow everything away.
Hurricanes

The Analysis
As a Lightning fan, I find myself rather despressed at the prospect of my team being shut out in a tournament I designed. Sadly, however, this is the case. Our logo is just not good. But don't let that take away from how good the Hurricanes logo is. I've always thought it was among the best. My only complaint would be that its aspect ratio is a little off. Can we have it a little more circular please?
Hurricanes

WINNER

3-0

 

Capitals vs Maple Leafs

	vs
CAPITALS		MAPLE LEAFS
2-1		0-4

The Aesthetics
The new Capitals logo was just unveiled last week. It's sharp but it breaks one of my cardinal rules. And you know they're gospel, buddy. If we look we see both teams make the mistake of spelling out the full name in the logo. But someone has to get the point. The Capitals logo gets it for the good colors.
Capitals

The Nickname
If lawmakers in the Capital can pass legislation to, say, protect maple trees, they then have the upper hand on a Maple Leaf. Crazy thought.
Capitals

The Analysis
Both logos spell out the full team name so nobody's getting any default points here. The saving grace then has to come in how the logo depicts the name. Again, I was always a fan of the capitol building but three stars does not a point get. I've said before that a silhouette is too easy, but let me eat my words now. This one is very practical in comparison.
Maple Leafs

WINNER

2-1