Blues vs Stars

	vs
BLUES		STARS
4-5		3-4

The Aesthetics
Both logos are simple and strong if you can look past the wordmarks in the Stars logo. Unfortunately, for this point, I can't.
Blues

The Nickname
The all-consuming ball of fire we call a Star would have its way with anything on this planet. Even the Blues and those who sing them.
Stars

The Analysis
The Blues logo is a blue musical note. Very fitting. I did like the shoulder logo they wore in the '90s with the blue trumpets but I think most St. Louis fans would revolt over that one. As for the Stars, if you can go beyond the wordmarks, which I can for this point, you can't help but notice the the giant star is by itself — like the Lone Star State of Texas. The Blues logo really makes no references to the Gateway City.
Stars

WINNER

2-1

 

Capitals vs Sabres

	vs
CAPITALS		SABRES
4-4		4-3

The Aesthetics
The Capitals logo, as discussed is a wordmark with a hockey stick and a puck and that is the opposite of what's required to take this point. On top of that, the Sabres actually have a rather aesthetically strong logo.
Sabres

The Nickname
I can't really think of how to compare Capitals and Sabres, but let's say an army of Sabre-wielding anarchists stormed the Capital. They would probably overwhelm the lawmakers.
Sabres

The Analysis
Sabres fans everywhere have bemoaned the "Buffaslug" all year, begging for a change. I agree in that the team could do better, perhaps in merely placing an actual sabre in the logo would be an improvement. It's the reason why the team hasn't earned this point all tournament. That won't change today. Despite the Capitals logo being a glorified wordmark, the three stars representing Maryland, Virginia and the District will win me over in this match.
Capitals

WINNER

2-1

 

Predators vs Blue Jackets

	vs
PREDATORS		BLUE JACKETS
7-3		6-1

The Aesthetics
The top two logos in the Central Division are going head-to-head this afternoon. Both logos are rather detailed and have great colors, albeit the Predators' colors are aren't as common. For originality, this point goes the way of the Preds.
Predators

The Nickname
The Blue Jackets would be armed with bayonets so no Predator would have a chance unless it was impervious bullets and knives.
Blue Jackets

The Analysis
With the Ohio flag strewn across a silver star, there's no way the Blue Jackets logo can lose this point. I like the Predators logo and the reason behind it, but just looking at it, you wouldn't necessarily know the team was from Nashville. In fact, they could be from Hamilton and we wouldn't know the difference. All right, that's enough digs from me.
Blue Jackets

WINNER

2-1

 

Thrashers vs Maple Leafs

	vs
THRASHERS		MAPLE LEAFS
4-6		1-9

The Aesthetics
The Thrashers logo is so much better looking than the Maple Leafs. And I say that despite the hockey stick the bird is holding. What's worse is the team name completely spelled out in the Leafs logo. I've said before how the Maple Leafs can improve without scaring lifelong fans away. It is possible, believe it or not.
Thrashers

The Nickname
I've never heard of a Maple Leaf hurting a Thrasher. The Thrasher, on the other hand, has some nasty claws.
Thrashers

The Analysis
Neither logo is really strong in this category. Here's the thing, though. When you look at the two, which is easier to guess the home city of, if you didn't already know it? If we're ignoring the fact that Toronto is spelled out in the Maple Leafs logo, the maple leaf itself is a dead giveaway for Canada. It would be pretty impossible to guess where the Thrashers come from.
Maple Leafs

WINNER

2-1

 

Lightning vs Capitals

	vs
LIGHTNING		CAPITALS
3-5		4-3

The Aesthetics
While the Lightning logo may include an annoying wordmark, the Capitals logo is almost nothing but a wordmark. And not even a very good one. I like the Capitals' new colors, but I don't like what they did with them.
Lightning

The Nickname
If Lightning struck the Capital, it could all go up in flames.
Lightning

The Analysis
Both logos spell out the team name so it comes down to the more subtle elements. And in that area, the Capitals logo has a hockey stick and a puck. Still, I'm a fan of the three stars about the word "Washington." The Lightning logo, on the other hand, has no such subtle elements. Now if we were looking at the secondary, it has an outline of the state of Florida which is a nice touch. But we're not. No sweep for the Bolts here.
Capitals

WINNER

2-1

 

Sharks vs Predators

	vs
SHARKS		PREDATORS
4-5		6-3

The Aesthetics
Neither of these two logos are very simple in design but offer unique colors and appropriate symbols for their teams. I like the teal but the Sharks logo does not make enough use of it. There's a thin line of it in the triangle surrounding the shark. Plus, there's a hockey stick so I don't exactly love it. Meanwhile, the Predators logo is very sharp despite its minute detail.
Predators

The Nickname
This is a tricky one. In most instances, a Shark is a Predator. In part for that reason, the Sharks will slide by with this point.
Sharks

The Analysis
The Predators got their name from the remains of a saber-toothed tiger found by construction workers during the building of their arena. The Sharks don't have a story like that. All right, but I can't hold that against them. What I can say is that this outdated logo needs an update. And one is coming in just four days, as a matter of fact. Maybe it'll have a better chance then.
Predators

WINNER

2-1

 

Maple Leafs vs Flyers

	vs
MAPLE LEAFS		FLYERS
1-8		4-8

The Aesthetics
These are a couple of classic example of NHL logos. Unfortunately, the Maple Leafs won't win this point because of the words inside the leaf silhouette. I happen to like the leaf, though, I just think there's more they can do with it. The Flyers logo may be limited on color, but at least it uses more than two.
Flyers

The Nickname
I'm not sure a Maple Leaf could deal a blow to a Flyer of any sort.
Flyers

The Analysis
It's finally been time for the Flyers to shine today. I've always liked the logo; I've just liked others better. And I really do like the maple leaf silhouette but it just doesn't work for me with the team name in the middle of it. The Flyers logo, alternatively, is solid and classic, despite the fact that it was obviously designed in the 1960s. What sells it for me is the "P" for Phildelphia attached to a wing. And we have a sweep.
Flyers

WINNER

3-0

 

Kings vs Ducks

	vs
KINGS		DUCKS
4-5		1-8

The Aesthetics
All three California teams are getting play today. Need I say anything beyond that the Ducks are still using a wordmark as their primary logo? They don't get this point. They don't deserve it. Plus, the crown is just cool like that
Kings

The Nickname
The King rules all the land. A Duck is an insignificant bird.
Kings

The Analysis
While I applaud the unique colors of the Ducks logo, the Kings colors are equally unique and are featured in a logo that is not letters. Plus, I like the subtle hockey sticks and the suns on either side of the crown. The Kings logo is a cool one that I could see sticking around for a long time, unlike their half-dozen previous logos. The Ducks just need to go with the webbed "D" or design something new altogether. This really isn't working.
Kings

WINNER

3-0

 

Avalanche vs Blue Jackets

	vs
AVALANCHE		BLUE JACKETS
8-0		5-1

The Aesthetics
I hate it when I have to pit two really great logos against each other. And this is just such a case. They're a little similar in color and overall shape, actually — the curves, the points. As far as colors, the Blue Jackets red, white, blue and silver are somewhat overused in this league. I feel like it's appropriate here though because the team name comes from American history and the colors come from the Ohio flag. And I never liked the electric green. Believe it or not, this is a Blue Jackets point.
Blue Jackets

The Nickname
Being a Union soldier, a Blue Jacket probably wouldn't be trained to survive an Avalanche.
Avalanche

The Analysis
I'm going to forego the babbling here. The Blue Jackets win this point for the Ohio flag being draped around the star. The Avalanche logo doesn't really managed to reference Denver or Colorado in any way.
Blue Jackets

WINNER

2-1

 

Devils vs Penguins

	vs
DEVILS		PENGUINS
9-1		2-5

The Aesthetics
The Devils logo is simpler compared to the Penguins, in which hockey equipment is prominently featured for no good reason. We should already know its a hockey team. They've had a lot of matches lately and every time I talk about the fact that I like the '90s logo better as a primary crest. Anyway, Devs win the point.
Devils

The Nickname
All-powerful evildoer. Small, flightless bird. Devil beats Penguins.
Devils

The Analysis
This category looks at the logo for its appropriateness (is that a word?), references to the home city, and use of subtle elements among other deeper things. That should tell you right there Devils get the point. The "NJ" is cool but the hockey stick, gloves and skates worn by a pissed-off penguin just look silly. That's the second sweep in as many days for the Devils.
Devils

WINNER

3-0