Predators vs Kings

	vs
PREDATORS		KINGS
2-1		0-1

The Aesthetics
Both logos seem to have an equal amount of detail, but the Predators make use of more than one or two colors. Aside from black, white and silver, purple is the primary Kings color and there couldn't be a better one. After years of trying to come up with a good logo — failed attempts with purple/yellow and black/silver — the combination of past tries has resulted in a keeper. The Kings, but just by a hair.
Kings

The Nickname
The King rules the land and, if he wanted, could have a Predator of any kind shot dead on the spot. He's powerful.
Kings

The Analysis
The Kings have existed for 40 years but their one claim to fame is that Wayne Gretzky once brought greatness to the locker room. Without him, the team has never really proved itself as a perennial contender of any sort. Still, the logo is top-notch. I only wish they'd kept the coat of arms logo as the primary instead of switching it with the crown. For that reason, the point goes to the Predators, whose story we already know.
Predators

WINNER

2-1

 

Wild vs Ducks

	vs
WILD		DUCKS
0-0		0-1

The Aesthetics
It doesn't take much to see that the Wild deserves this point over the Ducks. While the Ducks logo barely features a non-letter element, the Wild manages to work in a sunset behind a forest scene with a trail in the profile head of a bear with a "north star" as its eye. It certainly makes the best use of hidden features and I love it.
Wild

The Nickname
Ducks live in the Wild and need it to survive. The Wild however, would go on without Ducks.
Wild

The Analysis
As stated, the Wild is undoubtedly one of the cleverest logos in the NHL. The inclusion of so many Minnesota-related elements makes it top notch. Even the Ducks' new colors, of which I'm a fan, are nothing compared to the color combination used by the Wild. Plus, the Ducks logo's use of words over design elements leaves me wanting more.
Wild

WINNER

3-0

 

Red Wings vs Sharks

	vs
RED WINGS		SHARKS
1-1		1-0

The Aesthetics
Neither logo would win a lot of points for color. The Red Wings features only red and the Sharks uses its unique teal very scarcely. That being said, the Sharks logo is very eye-catching and despite its tiny detail in the broken hockey stick, it squeaks by with the point.
Sharks

The Nickname
I can't think of a Red-Winged bird that would be flying anywhere near a coastline that would subject it to a Shark attack.
Red Wings

The Analysis
Like I've said, the Sharks logo has disappointed me in its lack of color. I can see where the black shark comes off as more fierce, but the teal color could be used better. And even though it does feature a hockey stick, I like the idea of it being bitten by the Shark. There isn't very much going on in the Red Wings logo. It's solid but could use a design upgrade, and up against the Sharks, it doesn't really stand a chance.
Sharks

WINNER

2-1

 

Blue Jackets vs Oilers

	vs
BLUE JACKETS		OILERS
0-0		0-0

The Aesthetics
Right off the bat, the Blue Jackets gets an easy point here. Both logos use a few the same colors — blue and red — but the Oilers does not really use them its advantage.
Blue Jackets

The Nickname
A union soldier and an oilman are a couple of pretty tough fellas. Should a Blue Jacket ever have to face an Oiler in battle though, he has a bayonet and could therefore win.
Blue Jackets

The Analysis
Both teams have solid nicknames and logos. The Oilers has withstood the test of time, born in the days before the team joined the NHL. Good upgrades were made a decade ago when the bright orange was replaced with copper and red trim. It's a solid look that is hard to beat.
Oilers

WINNER

2-1

 

Sabres vs Senators

	vs
SABRES		SENATORS
1-1		0-0

The Aesthetics
The use of color in both logos is very appealing to the eye. There aren't too many or too few. The problem for the Senators comes in the detail. While I'm glad they removed the team name from the gold circle several years back, we're still a little heavy on the minutia. The Sabres logo features a single small element — the buffalo's red eye — it makes the logo more aesthetically interesting.
Sabres

The Nickname
A Senator is a person who makes laws. Untrained, he stands no chance against a soldier with a sharpened Sabre.
Sabres

The Analysis
It's interesting how neither logo really seems to capture the team's nickname. In the Sabres logo, there isn't a sword in sight, as I've mentioned. With the Senators, I see what seems to be a Spartan soldier. Still, the Senators logo is much stronger in portraying its nickname. I also think the color combination is better. I like the Sabres logo back when it was black and red.
Senators

WINNER

2-1

 

Flyers vs Hurricanes

	vs
FLYERS		HURRICANES
1-0		0-0

The Aesthetics
Both logos utilize black and white along with a primary color — red for the Hurricanes and orange for the Flyers. But the Hurricanes logo adds a silver accent. The Flyers works in a subtle "P" while the Hurricanes has a subtle puck. It's a tough one, but the Hurricanes gets the edge.
Hurricanes

The Nickname
Nothing can Fly anything in a Hurricane. It's as simple as that.
Hurricanes

The Analysis
I've always thought the Liberty Bell would make a good secondary logo for the Flyers, just like a torn hurricane flag makes a good secondary for the Hurricanes. But this competition is about primaries. Having said that, the Hurricanes name might be more appropriate for a team closer to the Gulf of Mexico, but still works for a state that has had its share of Hurricanes. I still don't really know what a "flyer" is exactly.
Hurricanes

WINNER

3-0

 

Maple Leafs vs Lightning

	vs
MAPLE LEAFS		LIGHTNING
0-1		0-0

The Aesthetics
Both of these teams break one of my cardinal rules. Spelling out the name in the primary logo. There's no need. It should be obvious which teams these are simply by the elements (i.e.: the leaf and the lightning bolt). That aside, the Lightning gets the edge for its use of color.
Lightning

The Nickname
If Lightning struck a maple tree, all the Maple Leafs would go up in flames.
Lightning

The Analysis
Both teams are very aptly named. The leaf featured on the Canadian flag is used on a different color and Tampa, Florida is deemed by some to be the lightning capital of the world. The Maple Leafs logo has been around forever while the Lightning has only been around 15 years. The Maple Leafs has proved staying power but silhouette logos are too easy.
Lightning

WINNER

3-0

 

Blues vs Red Wings

	vs
BLUES		RED WINGS
1-0		1-0

The Aesthetics
For one thing, both logos incorporate a wing element. So that's interesting. While the Red Wings logo has been around forever, the Blues is a little sleeker. I would almost venture to say that the same guy who designed the Flyers logo had a hand in the Blues. As far as aesthetics, the Blues logo has the edge.
Blues

The Nickname
This will be complicated. The situation here is that both teams have a color as part of their names. To determine which is superior — red or blue — we must look to the American Revolutionary War. Since the British fell, the Red Wings are obviously inferior to the Blues. (I warned you to expect some crazy nonsense.)
Blues

The Analysis
As I mentioned, both logos have elements attached to a wing. In the Red Wings case, it is the primary element, the wheel being there to represent the Motor City of Detroit. In the case of the Blues, the musical note is the primary element. The attached wing — I'm not really sure about why it's there.
Red Wings

WINNER

2-1

 

Predators vs Blackhawks

	vs
PREDATORS		BLACKHAWKS
1-1		0-2

The Aesthetics
Looking at the two logos side by side, my eye keeps getting drawn to the Predators logo. Unfortunately, I've looked at the Blackhawks three times in the last four days and nothing's changed. I still feel like it's from the 1940s. And it pretty much is.
Predators

The Nickname
Chief Black Hawk needs a break. First a giant ball of fire and then a deep-sea shark. But I'm rather sure he would be able to take out the Predator with a throw of his trusty tomahawk.
Blackhawks

The Analysis
We know the histories of both logos and while I think the Predators have the advantage, both cities utilize their history well in coming up with a name and logo design. Ultimately, though, it just comes down to which one is better and the Predators have the edge.
Predators

WINNER

2-1

 

Sabres vs Flyers

	vs
SABRES		FLYERS
1-0		0-0

The Aesthetics
The Flyers logo is almost overly simplistic but is a classic. Upgrades are always welcome, however, for logos that have existed for 30 years or more. The third-jersey logo is a good example of what can be done. The Sabres logo features nice colors but no sword.
Flyers

The Nickname
Are we to assume a Flyer is a bird of some type or an informational sheet? Either way, if it were to get in the way of a Sabre, its days would be over.
Sabres

The Analysis
Flyers is one of those generic team names that doesn't mean anything but its long, storied existence strikes fear into the heart of opponents. Unfortunately for them, this game doesn't work that way. Still, the weak logo design for the Sabres gives the Flyers the edge.
Flyers

WINNER

2-1