Flames vs Sharks

	vs
FLAMES		SHARKS
2-0		3-0

The Aesthetics
A couple of strong, undefeated logos here. For its simplicity and the Sharks logo's overuse of detail and underuse of color, the Flames will win this point.
Flames

The Nickname
Thanks to good ol' water and the depth of the oceans, a Shark never has to worry about being engulfed in Flames.
Sharks

The Analysis
Here we have two logos that are very good at symbolizing their team names. What I have to take issue with is the Sharks logo's lack of color. The teal and grey are used only in a thin outline of the triangle surrounding the shark. The Flames' "C" logo is a classic and the fire coming out of its back is scary.
Flames

WINNER

2-1

 

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

 

Avalanche vs Oilers

	vs
AVALANCHE		OILERS
1-0		1-5

The Aesthetics
The obvious answer here is the Avalanche. This logo has great colors and a classic design that I don't think will ever go out of style. The Oilers on the other hand — stop spelling out the name of the team in logos!
Avalanche

The Nickname
I don't know what Oilers are doing in snow-capped mountains, but they would certainly be crushed by an Avalanche.
Avalanche

The Analysis
Both teams are aptly named and have respectable color schemes. However, as far as having a logo that symbolizes your team. There's almost none better than the Avalanche. The Oilers logo has a simple copper drop and the name of the team. The Avalanche logo incorporates an "A" as a mountain down which an avalanche is falling. How do you improve on something like that? The Avs complete the easy sweep.
Avalanche

WINNER

3-0

 

Bruins vs Maple Leafs

	vs
BRUINS		MAPLE LEAFS
0-1		0-3

The Aesthetics
The new Bruins logo makes its debut appearance in the tournament today against the Leafs and I like what I see. The changes are minor but big. Look at the two logos side by side and you'll see what I mean. As for the Maple Leafs logo, the full name is still being spelled out in what would otherwise be a great silhouette logo.
Bruins

The Nickname
I suppose if a Bruin was hungry enough, he could eat a Maple Leaf. At the very least, a wave of his claw would send it to pieces.
Bruins

The Analysis
To this point in the competition, neither of these teams has won a match. That will obviously end today for the Bruins. The question is whether they can complete the sweep. I'm disappointed to say that for a team named the Bruins, the lack of a bear in the logo is conspicuous. At the same time, if the spoked "B" was ever relieved of duty, Bostonians would riot in the streets. The Leafs get the point for at least using a leaf in the logo.
Maple Leafs

WINNER

2-1

 

Predators vs Oilers

	vs
PREDATORS		OILERS
3-2		1-4

The Aesthetics
Normally, too much detail and too much color would kill a team pretty quickly, but I really don't like words in logos. The Oilers logo's main saving grace is its simplicity and color scheme. The Predators may have had it but for the minute detail in the logo.
Oilers

The Nickname
The Predator would totally eat the Oiler. The poor guy would never stand a chance.
Predators

The Analysis
Again, both logos are more than appropriate for their respective teams. I'm getting the Oilers here for their use of the team name in what should be more symbolic. That and I love the Predators logo. I actually bought a Predators jersey when I was in Nashville a few years ago just because the logo is so cool.
Predators

WINNER

2-1

 

Senators vs Canadiens

	vs
SENATORS		CANADIENS
2-1		1-0

The Aesthetics
It's another all-Canadian match. And I don't think there should be much question that the Canadiens get this point. Simple design and great use of color. Not that the Senators logo really lacks that but here again I feel like a simpler design would work better. (Hint: Less of the thin lines.)
Canadiens

The Nickname
A Senator is a lawmaker. A Canadien is a citizen. Easy.
Senators

The Analysis
Here we have two logos, neither of which I can really complain about. But the rules of this competition state that only can take the point in each category. In the end, I'm going to give it to the Canadiens because executive decisions are my forte. Also that "H" gets me every time!
Canadiens

WINNER

2-1

 

Blues vs Canucks

	vs
BLUES		CANUCKS
4-1		0-1

The Aesthetics
This is a tough one so we'll cut right to the end here. The color scheme in the Canucks logo is so much cooler. Give them a point, please.
Canucks

The Nickname
Hmm. We're going to say that Canucks are outdoorsy, lumberjack-types who could totally beat up a Blues-playing saxist. Right?
Canucks

The Analysis
As much as I like the Canucks logo, it just doesn't really seem to represent the team name very well. On the other hand, a musical note is the best way of symbolizing the Blues.
Blues

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

 

Blues vs Blackhawks

	vs
BLUES		BLACKHAWKS
3-1		1-3

The Aesthetics
The simple design and straightforward color scheme of the Blues logo starkly contrasts the Blackhawks. We know that Blackhawks colors are red, black and white from their uniforms, but then why does the logo also have green, yellow, blue, orange and tan? The world may never know. Clean up your act, Blackhawks logo.
Blues

The Nickname
A Blackhawk indian could do a rain dance. Can the Blues man do that?
Blackhawks

The Analysis
Both teams have appropriate logos though neither goes out of its way to represent its home city graphically. Ultimately its the simplicity and clean, sleek look of the Blues logo that wins it the point.
Blues

WINNER

2-1