Penguins vs Panthers

	vs
PENGUINS		PANTHERS
2-6		8-1

The Aesthetics
The Panthers logo looks downright scary, let's just be clear on that. The Penguins logo makes an attempt at looking mean but it's feeble at best. I don't think it should be carrying a hockey stick and wearing old-fashioned gloves. I also think the secondary logo would be an improvement, which it was for a time until the Pens returned to this one.
Panthers

The Nickname
A Panther could eat a Penguin for lunch without even trying that hard.
Panthers

The Analysis
Both logos depict their namesake well without bothering to indicate the home town. It's not necessary for the Panthers, but it wouldn't hurt the Penguins. Now if the penguin could just put that annoying stick down we'd all be better off. The Panthers logo engages in quite a bit of minutia and it would be nice if they had a simpler version of the cat. Failing that, it's still a winner. The Panthers logo should be around for a long time. It's become a great hockey symbol in its 14 years.
Panthers

WINNER

3-0

 

Avalanche vs Blues

	vs
AVALANCHE		BLUES
8-1		4-6

The Aesthetics
It's been hard for any team to beat the Avalanche in this category but the Blues logo serves as stiff competition. I'm a fan of the two-toned blue in the Blues logo but with that subtle puck at the end of the Avalanche logo, I'm tempted to lean more in that direction. It's a tough call but it's gotta be made.
Avalanche

The Nickname
Not only would a Blues musician be inconsequential to an Avalanche, but you could argue that a trumpet if played loud enough could cause one. You'd have to be in a Wile E. Coyote/Road Runner cartoon, but you could.
Avalanche

The Analysis
I'm still none the wiser as to the reason for a wing being attached to a blue musical note in the Blues logo. I get it in the Flyers logo but I don't get it here. Don't misunderstand, I think it's a great logo but it leaves me with questions which must be asked in this section. I can hardly think of a single complaint or question for the Avs logo. It's that good. What's sad is I don't know how the Blues logo got swept in this match.
Avalanche

WINNER

3-0

 

Devils vs Canadiens

	vs
DEVILS		CANADIENS
11-1		7-2

The Aesthetics
With only a single match remaining after today, the Devils have proven to be a real contender among the NHL's best logos. I'm rather impressed, actually. It's difficult to say which logo should get this point. The color schemes are very appropriate to each and feature cool, subtle letters. The reason I'm going with the Devils logo is that its subtle letters actually form the devil. That's the makings of a good logo.
Devils

The Nickname
We've discussed what an evil bastard the Devil is. Even Canadiens aren't exempt from the wrath of his wretchedness.
Devils

The Analysis
While it could be open to discussion as to which logo really earned this point, I'm going to say the Canadiens logo deserves it. The mysterious "H" inside the "C" was finally revealed recently by a reader. I was hoping to save it for the Canadiens' last match of the tournament, but we can give it up here in number 10. It stands for "Les Habitants," a French message for the fans dating back to the club's early days. Where's the subtle message in the Devils' logo?
Canadiens

WINNER

2-1

 

Stars vs Canucks

	vs
STARS		CANUCKS
4-4		4-5

The Aesthetics
These are both decent logos. Neither is bad, nor very good. Just average. For this point, I've always liked the Canucks' logo. Word is it's gone after this season, but as far as aesthetics, I think it's one of the best out there. The Stars logo spells out the name and that's too easy and uncreative. It also hurts the logo from a design standpoint.
Canucks

The Nickname
A Star is a giant, all-consuming ball of fire as we've noted, and I don't think they've lost this point yet. A Canuck has no chance against a Star.
Stars

The Analysis
Stylistically, both logos are very appropriate for their teams. The giant "lone star" practically screams Texas while the Haida-style orca points right to the Pacific Northwest. Unfortunately, what's lacking in the Canucks logo is ... a canuck. Even the coolest logos have their problems and this is a big one. It will cost them this point.
Stars

WINNER

2-1

 

Senators vs Hurricanes

	vs
SENATORS		HURRICANES
4-4		8-0

The Aesthetics
The Hurricanes logo has been unbeatable to this point in the tournament. It's a strong logo that's simple and sharp. The Senators logo gets a bit bogged down in detail and probably won't even be in existence much longer.
Hurricanes

The Nickname
Mother Nature tends to leave a path of destruction in her wake when a Hurricane is involved. Even Senators aren't safe.
Hurricanes

The Analysis
Neither logo makes an effort at representing their home city. The Hurricanes name, though, at least gives you a hint to the geographical region. Plus, I'm a big fan of the puck used as the eye of the storm. Chalk up another sweep for the 'Canes.
Hurricanes

WINNER

3-0

 

Coyotes vs Sharks

	vs
COYOTES		SHARKS
3-3		5-6

The Aesthetics
I continue to be disappointed by the lack of color in the Sharks logo and eagerly await tomorrow's unveiling of a new logo. The Coyotes logo at times looks awkward to me, but I certainly feel the action while looking at it. You can almost hear it howling.
Coyotes

The Nickname
This is one of those situations where I don't know why a Coyote and a Shark would ever come face-to-face, but my money is on the Sharks for sheer power.
Sharks

The Analysis
My first question is always, does the logo match the team name? Here, we do in fact see a coyote and a shark. Next I look at home town representation. Here, there's nothing obvious but the team names are good indications. An Arizona team named for a desert animal. And a California coastal team named for an underwater predator. Now I'm looking at features like the broken hockey stick in the shark's mouth. It's unnecessary. We should already know the logo belongs to a hockey team. This point goes to the Coyotes.
Coyotes

WINNER

2-1

 

Bruins vs Islanders

	vs
BRUINS		ISLANDERS
4-2		1-9

The Aesthetics
There certainly are a lot of circles before us today. And within said circles are letters. Were I to go about this arbitrarily, I'd say the logo with the fewest letters contained within the circle should get this point. But to be arbitrary is wrong. The Bruins logo gets it because the Islanders logo features more than a few of my aesthetic pet peeves, such as a hockey stick, puck and the team name written out.
Bruins

The Nickname
Islanders and Bruins are both known for doing in fish, but one-on-one, I think the larger bear has the upper hand.
Bruins

The Analysis
Often I've awarded this point to the Islanders for the outline of Long Island found in orange in the background of the logo. That'll continue today as what annoys me about the Bruins logo is its lack of an actual bruin. The scary bear on the new shoulder patches would work, but that's not in competition here.
Islanders

WINNER

2-1

 

Coyotes vs Red Wings

	vs
COYOTES		RED WINGS
3-2		3-7

The Aesthetics
Visually, I'm more a fan of the Coyotes logo mainly because of its color usage. The red and white of the Red Wings logo often seems flat to me. Beyond that, it could use an upgrade.
Coyotes

The Nickname
A Red-Winged bird (or a bird of any sort) would be wise to keep itself airborne when in danger to avoid the clutches of a predator like the Coyote.
Red Wings

The Analysis
The wheel attached to the wing in the Red Wings logo has often won this point for that team. And it should be no different here as the Coyotes logo doesn't really make any reference to its home city. The desert colors and feel are nice, but what's to stop anyone from assuming New Mexico or even Las Vegas as the team's locale?
Red Wings

WINNER

2-1

 

Senators vs Devils

	vs
SENATORS		DEVILS
4-3		10-1

The Aesthetics
The Devils logo is simpler but the additional color in the Senators logo gives it extra layers. This is not meant to take away from the clever design of the Devils logo but rather to highlight how using more than two colors can be effective.
Senators

The Nickname
The Devil is one evil son of a bitch. A Senator doesn't have anything on him.
Devils

The Analysis
It's the subtle "NJ" making up the devil that will help give the Devils this point. As far as the Senators logo, it's nice but it could be better. I do like the third jersey version better and rumor has it that an updated version of that will be donning the crest of the Sens new unis this season. Until we find out for sure, this point is not for them.
Devils

WINNER

2-1

 

Sharks vs Oilers

	vs
SHARKS		OILERS
4-6		1-9

The Aesthetics
The Sharks logo goes heavy on the detail and light on the color which is not a good combination. It has a hockey stick in it and if you notice, the tape doesn't go around the entire blade. It needs work. Good thing is, in just two days, it's getting the help it needs when the Sharks unveil a new logo. The team name being written out in the Oilers logo still isn't making me happy, but its a better-looking logo when compared with the Sharks. If you ask me.
Oilers

The Nickname
Suppose an Oiler is out working on an ocean rig. Were he to fall off with hungry Sharks lying in wait, he would no doubt be lunch.
Sharks

The Analysis
All we really have to look at in this match is whether the logo is a good symbol for the club's name. Here, the Sharks logo works well while the Oilers logo leaves a lot to be desired. I'm a fan of the shoulder logo they currently wear despite its heavy-handed detail. The third jersey logo would work as well but what do I know? I see a shark.
Sharks

WINNER

2-1