Panthers vs Devils

	vs
PANTHERS		DEVILS
3-0		0-0

The Aesthetics
Finally, the Devils have a match. And things are looking up already. You have the subtle "NJ" along with a simple, fear-inspiring design gives them the edge over the Panthers logo. It may seem like I hate all logos with small details, but that's just not the case. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't. Normally it would work for the Panthers, but just look at that Devils logo.
Devils

The Nickname
The Devil could strike a Panther dead if it ever tried to attack. Yeah, he's that powerful.
Devils

The Analysis
Here's where the Panthers avoid the sweep. They are a very aptly named team. There's nothing wrong with the Devils, but I feel like that gets used a lot. Perhaps the Devils can get this point against another team.
Panthers

WINNER

2-1

 

Rangers vs Panthers

	vs
RANGERS		PANTHERS
2-2		2-0

The Aesthetics
One is arguably too detailed and one is arguably too simplistic. My argument is the Rangers logo utilizes 14 letters and I'm not a fan of that as you well know. This point goes to the Panthers.
Panthers

The Nickname
It's nice to be a park ranger in a league filled with animal mascots. The Ranger protects the endangered Panthers and their habitat and so has the upper hand in this relationship. Count it.
Rangers

The Analysis
When looking at a logo for the Rangers, a shield of some sort is probably the smartest choice. But times have changed and this logo desperately needs a rejuvenation. It has one if you check the shoulder of the team's third jersey. In fact, check the crest on that jersey and let's just go with that one. But more than that, the Panthers logo is cooler than almost anything.
Panthers

WINNER

2-1

 

Predators vs Ducks

	vs
PREDATORS		DUCKS
2-2		0-3

The Aesthetics
You know, despite having won the Stanley Cup this year, the Anaheim Ducks sure have one lame logo. I love the colors, but ditch the wordmark you have plastered all over the front of your jerseys. The Predators, on the other hand, have one kick-ass logo. I wonder who wins if they go up against the Panthers.
Predators

The Nickname
The Predator eats the Duck. Any questions?
Predators

The Analysis
The Predators have a very appropriate name and a rather fierce logo. But the Ducks could use some help. I'm all for losing the "Mighty" from the name but let's do something with the logo, already. Even the duck foot in the form of a "D" would be better than what they have now. Another sweep against the Ducks here.
Predators

WINNER

3-0

 

Wild vs Kings

	vs
WILD		KINGS
2-0		1-2

The Aesthetics
Don't let their record fool you, the Kings have a very strong logo. Unfortunately, it could use more color and a little less minute detail. So by a slight margin, the point here goes to the Wild.
Wild

The Nickname
The King may rule the land, but out in the Wild, he has no say. Bears would eat him.
Wild

The Analysis
If we look at the history of the Kings' logos, I'd say the best was the one just prior to this one. But this competition is about the current logo and ultimately it says "king" more than anything possibly could. It's a crown. The Wild by no means misses the mark in this category, though by the slightest of margins, they lose the point.
Kings

WINNER

2-1

 

Wild vs Blues

	vs
WILD		BLUES
1-0		3-0

The Aesthetics
These are two very aesthetically strong logos going up against each other here. I could go on all day about their strengths so I'll skip that and get to the point. It goes to the Wild for its color, detail and complexity (not the bad things you thought they were).
Wild

The Nickname
If a jazz man was singing the Blues out in the Wild, he would almost surely attract unwanted attention and, you know, get eaten by a bear.
Wild

The Analysis
This is a hard call to make with such strong logos facing each other. Both have unique colors that set them apart. But do I really need to say it. Just look at that Wild logo? Can anything beat it?
Wild

WINNER

3-0

 

Flyers vs Penguins

	vs
FLYERS		PENGUINS
2-2		0-1

The Aesthetics
Both teams call the same state home and both logos make use of a single color outside of black and white. The orange and gold are quite unique but there is almost too much detail in the Penguins logo. However, that seems to add to it in this case.
Penguins

The Nickname
A Penguin is one of the rare birds that is unable to Fly. Too bad.
Flyers

The Analysis
This point is incredibly difficult to award in this case. Neither logo makes a very good representation of its locale but hit the nickname right on the money. The angry penguin veers away from cartoonish yet can be bogged down in minute detail. Meanwhile the generic winged "P" fits well with the generic nickname. It comes down to this: When looking at them side by side, the stronger logo is the Flyers by a hair.
Flyers

WINNER

2-1

 

Oilers vs Flames

	vs
OILERS		FLAMES
1-3		1-0

The Aesthetics
Both logos have very nice eye-catching colors, but the Oilers logo has lost several points for its use of the name. This time won't be any different. The flaming "C" doesn't help them very much either.
Flames

The Nickname
Fire and oil do not mix. An Oiler would be lit up by Flames and that would be the end of the story.
Flames

The Analysis
As mentioned the flaming "C" of the Flames logo works extremely well and is one of hockey's classic logos. The Oilers logo could be better as I've discussed before and as the Flames proves, sometimes simplicity is what's required for a great team icon.
Flames

WINNER

3-0

 

Flyers vs Rangers

	vs
FLYERS		RANGERS
2-1		1-2

The Aesthetics
Both logos symbolize storied franchises but as I've said many times before, words can kill the aesthetics of any logo. That and I love subtle letters such as the "P" in the Flyers logo.
Flyers

The Nickname
As with any bird, it's the job of a Ranger to protect the Flyer, who therefore has the upper hand.
Rangers

The Analysis
Quite honestly, red, white and blue have never been such important colors to New York City than in the aftermath of the attacks of 9/11. That makes the Rangers colors very significant. Meanwhile, the Flyers logo doesn't go a very long way to symbolize its home city of Philadelphia.
Rangers

WINNER

2-1

 

Sharks vs Ducks

	vs
SHARKS		DUCKS
2-0		0-2

The Aesthetics
The Ducks' unfortunate choice to make a wordmark their primary logo may very well be their downfall in this competition. On the other hand, the Sharks logo is good enough to beat out just about anyone. Talk about fierce!
Sharks

The Nickname
A Shark could totally eat a Duck. The Duck wouldn't stand a chance.
Sharks

The Analysis
Ultimately the Sharks logo is nearly perfect for its location of San Jose, and with any California team you would expect non-traditional colors. I think it's great that the Ducks opted to go with the orange and gold after the name change, but a logo with an actual Duck or even just the footprint would be exponentially better.
Sharks

WINNER

3-0

 

Islanders vs Thrashers

	vs
ISLANDERS		THRASHERS
0-0		0-2

The Aesthetics
I've never been the biggest fan of words or hockey sticks especially in hockey logos. It's a little too on-the-nose if you ask me. The Islanders have both and for that reason they should lose the point. But then this logo is supposed to be traditional right? They've used it for a few decades now (minus those couple of years with the Gordon's fisherman). Still, the Thrashers logo is visually interesting and makes great use of color.
Thrashers

The Nickname
If a Thrasher was flying over an Islander, the bird would surely poop on his head. I know, effort.
Thrashers

The Analysis
It stood the test of time even when a mid-'90s mistake couldn't. The Islanders logo may only be 35 years old, but to many hockey fans, it's been around forever. But that doesn't automatically win you a point in this competition. You need to really show something. In this case, the Islanders logo shows a sense of where it's from with the map of Long Island featured. The Atlanta Thrasher? Maybe. But I'm not getting a feel for the city.
Islanders

WINNER

2-1