Sharks vs Blackhawks

	vs
SHARKS		BLACKHAWKS
0-0		0-1

The Aesthetics
The Sharks use a very nice teal as the primary color in their uniforms, but unfortunately it barely shows in the logo. We see it only in a simple outline of the triangle behind the shark. And while I feel that the Blackhawks use too many colors, at least they use color.
Blackhawks

The Nickname
I've said before that Chief Black Hawk was one tough son of a bitch, but if he ever found himself in the ocean surrounded by Sharks, he wouldn't stand a chance.
Sharks

The Analysis
The Blackhawks name is very fitting for its location and so is the Sharks, with its home city being found along the coast of California. And despite the Sharks logo's lack of color and incorporation of a hockey stick, I still think the fierce-looking shark is an awesome icon. The Blackhawks logo could stand an upgrade.
Sharks

WINNER

2-1

 

Predators vs Canucks

	vs
PREDATORS		CANUCKS
0-1		0-0

The Aesthetics
I've always thought the Canucks had one of the coolest color schemes in the league. Now I understand they have plans to change it — again. The Predators logo makes use of color well also, but its minute detail loses it another point.
Canucks

The Nickname
Were a Canuck to happen upon a Predator during a walk in the woods, it wouldn't be surprising if he got eaten.
Predators

The Analysis
Aside from its parent company being named Orca Bay, I can't quite work out how a killer whale ended up in the Canucks logo. Frankly, I've never been a fan of any of the Canucks logos as far as symbolizing the team name. The Predators logo does a lot better job with that.
Predators

WINNER

2-1

 

Thrashers vs Panthers

	vs
THRASHERS		PANTHERS
0-1		0-0

The Aesthetics
Both logos have very appealing color schemes but the Panthers logo is just a little too detailed for a good embroidery on a hat. The Thrashers logo incorporates a hockey stick which can be irritating in NHL logos. The Panther, however, is a lot more fierce-looking than the Thrasher. It gets the edge there.
Panthers

The Nickname
You might assume that since the Thrasher flies way above the Panther's head, it would easily take the cake. But the bird has to come down some time, perhaps for a worm dinner. That's when the cat gets its bird dinner.
Panthers

The Analysis
The Florida panther is an endangered species. The Thrasher is a songbird. The Panther was an easy choice for the south Florida-based team. But as a Lightning fan, I sometimes wonder why they went with Florida over Miami when naming the team. But then again, their cat is called the Florida panther.
Panthers

WINNER

3-0

 

Blues vs Ducks

	vs
BLUES		DUCKS
0-0		0-0

The Aesthetics
Simplicity abounds in design here. Both teams use a simple but attractive color scheme. The problem is the team is named the Ducks. I don't see a duck. There's a duck footprint in the shape of a "D," but it's drowned out by all the other letters. The musical note, however, is the perfect way of symbolizing the Blues.
Blues

The Nickname
Playing his sax, a jazz man could certainly drown out any quacking Ducks while playing the Blues.
Blues

The Analysis
Cheers to the Ducks for dropping "Mighty" from their name this season, but the logo they turned out was unfortunate. When compared to the Blues, the Blues win it by a landslide in overall design and style. If the Ducks want a better shot, they should drop the words from the logo and at least make the duck footprint the primary.
Blues

WINNER

3-0

 

Penguins vs Capitals

	vs
PENGUINS		CAPITALS
0-0		0-0

The Aesthetics
Right off, both logos have a lot of complexities though we find a lot more in the Capitals, obviously. On the other hand, its colors are appealing and used well. The Penguins makes use of only a single color outside of black and white (albeit a good color). Despite the Capitals' use of a script spelling out the team name (and city) within in the logo, it still squeaks by with the point.
Capitals

The Nickname
If we assume the Capitals are lawmakers of some sort, then it's their job to write laws to protect Penguins and other animals. They therefore have the upper hand.
Capitals

The Analysis
Washington, D.C. is the capital of the United States so the name seems like a rather obvious choice. But as far as the name goes, my question is: What is a Capital? A Penguin is a little ineffectual flightless bird. Regardless, I don't know what relevance Penguins have to the city of Pittsburgh as Penguins tend to live in rather chilly locales.
Capitals

WINNER

3-0

 

Avalanche vs Predators

	vs
AVALANCHE		PREDATORS
0-0		0-0

The Aesthetics
These are two of the coolest looking logos in the NHL, so it should be a close battle. Both logos make use of detail, the Predators more so than the Avalanche. Despite the nice color combination, however, the detail in the Predators is a little too much. The Avalanche logo has better proportions and is very streamlined while making clever use of its name.
Avalanche

The Nickname
Walking through the snow-covered, mountain woods, even the Predator in a saber-toothed tiger couldn't possibly live through the destruction of an Avalanche.
Avalanche

The Analysis
They play in the often snow-capped Rocky Mountains of Denver so it's not a big leap to determine where the name comes from. The Predators, on the other hand, have a cooler story. While the arena where they play was being built, construction workers came upon the ancient bones of what was once a saber-toothed tiger. That is how the logo was born.
Predators

WINNER

2-1

 

Sabres vs Maple Leafs

	vs
SABRES		MAPLE LEAFS
0-0		0-0

The Aesthetics
The Maple Leafs' crest is rather one-dimensional and while the Sabres' isn't the worst-looking logo in Buffalo sports, it's pretty bad. Still, the edge goes to them only slightly for its style and use of color.
Sabres

The Nickname
If a swordsman was riding through the woods, his Sabre would easily slice through any Maple Leaf that might get in its way.
Sabres

The Analysis
I don't understand why every team from Buffalo, New York must have a buffalo in its logo. I get the importance of the animal to the area, but put it on the shoulder. Why has the saber been relegated to the secondary mark? My favorite Sabres logo ever was the one used on the front of the red third jerseys. This one is a no brainer. What symbol is on the Canadian flag? This is Toronto. Enough said.
Maple Leafs

WINNER

2-1

 

Red Wings vs Kings

	vs
RED WINGS		KINGS
0-0		0-0

The Aesthetics
I've said before that ultra-traditionalism shall have no part in this competition. So I don't care that the Red Wings logo has been around for ages. It could use an upgrade. This is, after all, 2007. Among other things, I like the Kings' color scheme. It's something different.
Kings

The Nickname
I can't say for sure what sort of bird a Red Wing would belong to, but I'm fairly sure the King of the land would have nothing to say about it.
Red Wings

The Analysis
When I think "king," I think crown, so the Kings hit it right on the money. But I like how the Red Wings logo incorporates a wheel. After all, before Detroit was dubbed Hockeytown, it was Motor City.
Red Wings

WINNER

2-1

 

Thrashers vs Rangers

	vs
THRASHERS		RANGERS
0-0		0-0

The Aesthetics
Even though I didn't like the team's name, I've liked the Thrashers' logo ever since it was first unveiled when the team started playing in 1999. The Rangers, on the other hand, not so much. I think they should upgrade to the shoulder logo on the third jersey. Much nicer.
Thrashers

The Nickname
If the Thrasher is living in a national park, the park Ranger is protecting it and therefore has the upper hand.
Rangers

The Analysis
I don't know why it is that almost all the pro sports teams in Atlanta have to be named for birds, but the hockey team got burned. Falcons and hawks are birds of prey and despite "thrashing" being a good verb for use in defeating opponents, the thrasher is what, a songbird? Come on. By default, the Rangers take this one.
Rangers

WINNER

2-1

 

Stars vs Blackhawks

	vs
STARS		BLACKHAWKS
0-0		0-0

The Aesthetics
Albeit slightly boring, the Stars have a much sleaker look than the Blackhawks. I've always found the Indian head a little clunky and intricate, not to mention its lack of a defined color scheme.
Stars

The Nickname
Chief Black Hawk may have been a tough son of a bitch, but a Star is a giant all-consuming ball of fire.
Stars

The Analysis
The Blackhawks get their name from Chief Black Hawk who was a Sauk warlord in the area of what is now Rock Island, Illinois which is less than 200 miles from Chicago. Not bad. On the other hand, the Stars take their name from predecessor Minnesota North Stars. I think it works great, what with Texas being the Lone Star state. The only drawback is that the team name is spelled out in the logo and, by and large, I'm not a fan of that. Still, they squeak by with the point.
Stars

WINNER

3-0