Lightning vs Bruins

	vs
LIGHTNING		BRUINS
6-5		7-3

The Aesthetics
The Bruins have a logo that despite only minor changes, is significantly improved. The Lightning logo spells out the team name. And if the rumors of the new logo hold to be true, at least one of those words will be removed. Anyway, no point for the Bolts here.
Bruins

The Nickname
Not even a Bruin could withstand getting struck by a bolt of Lightning.
Lightning

The Analysis
At least there's a bolt of Lightning in that logo. There's no bear in the Bruins logo. But that can't be the only factor for this point. The Bruins logo is just much bolder. I think it makes a better logo. Maybe the Lightning can make an improvement when they unveil theirs later this month.
Bruins

WINNER

2-1

 

Flyers vs Capitals

	vs
FLYERS		CAPITALS
5-8		4-8

The Aesthetics
Hey, speaking of the Capitals. A dissenter (Pens fan) among you recently commented that I was a "bandwagon hockey fan" because my personal preferences lean away from liking his team's logo. He called me a Capitals fan. I'm sure he didn't mean any offense to Caps fans. Anyway, if you are one, don't be offended by my distaste for your team's logo. I like the new colors, but wordmarks don't work for me.
Flyers

The Nickname
You suppose some Flying creatures could attack a Capital city? It would be like a remake of the Alfred Hitchcock movie. (You come up with something better.)
Flyers

The Analysis
I like the three stars on the top of the Capitals logo but that's about its sole redeeming quality in my eyes. They're blurry. That's why I wear glasses. The "P" in the Flyers logo does a better job of subtly referencing its home city. And that I like. There are other things too that I've mentioned in past matches, but we'll leave that for now. It's the end of the tournament for the Flyers. They'll finish with a sweep.
Flyers

WINNER

3-0

 

Blackhawks vs Blue Jackets

	vs
BLACKHAWKS		BLUE JACKETS
2-10		9-1

The Aesthetics
I should start out by saying that despite how many people apparently think the Blackhawks have the best logo in sports, I don't see it. And I don't really like it. I think improvements could be made. I'd also question what makes it the best. On the other hand, the Blue Jackets logo is pretty killer. We should count how many NHL logos have the letter "C" in them.
Blue Jackets

The Nickname
The Blue Jackets in the Union Army would have surely been able to take Chief Blackhawk and his band. Maybe they did.
Blue Jackets

The Analysis
Try not to jump up and down on my head, but i just think that the Blue Jackets logo makes a better symbol for its team. Let the harrassment begin. At least the Blue Jackets logo has a defined color scheme. There's way to much going on in the Blackhawks logo. Let's tone down the colors a little. That's all I'm saying. And the Jackets logo has an Ohio flag that forms a "C" for Columbus.
Blue Jackets

WINNER

3-0

 

Canucks vs Kings

	vs
CANUCKS		KINGS
5-7		6-5

The Aesthetics
This is a hard one. I like both of these logos. How to choose. I actually like the Canucks logo's color scheme better than the Kings. I also like the Haida style artwork. It's very unique in this league. But both of these teams have struggled with an identity for decades, changing logos constantly. But as for right now, I'm going with the Canucks.
Canucks

The Nickname
A King pretty much gets whatever he wants. He can have Canucks do... anything really. Go whaling or something. I don't know. Where are my creative juices when I need them?
Kings

The Analysis
As far as logos pertaining to the team names, a Canuck is not a whale. A King is not a crown, but he wears one. I also like the subtle hockey sticks in the top of the crown and the suns on either side of it. The Canucks logo doesn't offer anything cool like that.
Kings

WINNER

2-1

 

Red Wings vs Avalanche

	vs
RED WINGS		AVALANCHE
4-8		10-1

The Aesthetics
When these teams get together, it's usually the greatest playoff hockey you could hope for. But when comparing their logos head-to-head, there's really no question in my mind as to who takes the cake.
Avalanche

The Nickname
Red-Winged birds have no fearing falling snow as they can simply fly over an Avalanche. Not too close, though.
Red Wings

The Analysis
I would be remiss if I didn't at least mention the longevity of the Red Wings logo. I'd also get an earful from ultra-traditionalists who fear change with regard to the Original Six like the very plague if I suggested an upgrade of any kind for it. But let me just remind you all of the new Boston Bruins logo. No limbs were lost when that was unveiled. So open your minds a little... and accept the fact that one day the Avalanche logo will be looked upon as a sports logo classic in the same way — except better because as of right now, it doesn't need an upgrade. Any changes would only hurt it. You see where I'm going now?
Avalanche

WINNER

2-1

 

Penguins vs Senators

	vs
PENGUINS		SENATORS
3-8		4-6

The Aesthetics
Both of these teams seem to like a little gold with their black but it's the Senators who add in the red to make the logo stand out a bit more. The Penguins logo just feels so flat. And there's the penguin wearing the hockey gear.
Senators

The Nickname
Since Senators make the laws, it seems to me that they have the upper hand on the Penguins as they could choose to protect them or not.
Senators

The Analysis
The better features of these two logos have recently been pointed out to me by readers. The golden triangle has significance to Pittsburgh. Also the gold circle in the Senators logo makes an "O" for Ottawa while you could say the red galea creates a "C" to symbolize Canada. If that's the case, it means the Maple Leafs and Oilers are the only Canadian teams not to work in a "C" of some sort. But I digress. The point is, the Penguins logo comes off like a '60s cartoon to me (go ahead, take your shots now). I'll go with the centurion.
Senators

WINNER

3-0

 

Kings vs Blues

	vs
KINGS		BLUES
5-5		5-7

The Aesthetics
Some logos just don't look very good next to each other. These two look very good. It's kind of a wonder they seem to be bathed in mediocrity in this competition (or not based on my bad judgment). One thing that always gets me is the two-tone blues of the Blues logo. That's unique and very cool in combination with the yellow trim. I hope they don't lose that anytime soon. Unfortunately for the Kings, all I keep seeing right now are all the little circles. There must be like a dozen of them on that crown.
Blues

The Nickname
All right, you can already tell this one is going to be a stretch. Do you suppose a King would simply be able to hire a person to play music for him, be it Blues or anything else?
Kings

The Analysis
I like the subtle hockey sticks at the top of the crown and the suns on either side of it in the Kings logo. But I also like the Blues logo as it has been recently pointed out to me that the logo is a 64th note and the city of St. Louis was founded in 1764. So what it comes down to is which one works better. Frankly, I think the Blues logo looks more like a wing than a 64th note but it was a good effort. Kings, please.
Kings

WINNER

2-1

 

Capitals vs Rangers

	vs
CAPITALS		RANGERS
4-7		2-9

The Aesthetics
Man, the red, white and blue abound. Though, personally, I'm one of the few that believe a darker blue would better serve the Rangers. But then I also like the Lady Liberty logo better than the shield. For one thing, they don't even use a logo anywhere on their regular jerseys. Still, the Capitals logo is a wordmark and that doesn't earn it points in my book. I'm going with the shield.
Rangers

The Nickname
The Capital is the center of the goverment and Rangers are mere governmental peripheries.
Capitals

The Analysis
The Rangers logo is a classic. The Capitals thought their '70s logo was a classic which is why they used it for the inspiration for the new logo. It's inexcusable, really. Even the eagle on the shoulder is better than the wordmark as far as crests go. The Rangers deserve this point to right along with the win.
Rangers

WINNER

2-1

 

Flames vs Canucks

	vs
FLAMES		CANUCKS
9-1		5-6

The Aesthetics
Both of these logos are made from the letter "C." One forms a Haida-style whale while other emits fire. I like the simplicity of the Flames logo but also the color scheme of the Canucks logo. Since word on the street is that these colors aren't long for this earth, I'm going to give them this point.
Canucks

The Nickname
Flames burn everything, Canucks included.
Flames

The Analysis
Looking at the Canucks logo, I'm continually confused by the whale. This isn't to say that I believe the orca has no connection to the Canucks as a team (as opposed to the organization), but I really like the design John Slabyk came up with. You know the one. Anyway, they can't win for the "C" (symbolizing "Canucks" and "Canada") because the Flames have one of those too. Plus, how can you improve on a logo for a team called the Calgary Flames, anyway?
Flames

WINNER

2-1

 

Bruins vs Penguins

	vs
BRUINS		PENGUINS
6-3		3-7

The Aesthetics
Looking at these two logos side-by-side, it's fairly obvious why the Penguins shouldn't have switched to the Vegas gold. Which one of these stands out more? But like all you Pens fans know by now, the hockey gear the penguin is wearing bothers me. I can't explain it.
Bruins

The Nickname
Giant carnivore versus tiny, flightless bird. Is there any question the Bruin eats the Penguin?
Bruins

The Analysis
Unfortunately for the Bruins, this won't be a sweep. The reason is that I see a penguin in the Penguins logo but a bruin is nowhere in sight. (I take that back. Check the shoulder of the jersey.) If only they'd make that bear in the secondary mark the primary logo. But the truth is, the B's logo is one of the most recognizable in sports so to change it would probably be silly. Still, I stand by my rules for this tournament, despite the bullshit they produce.
Penguins

WINNER

2-1