Thrashers vs Bruins

	vs
THRASHERS		BRUINS
4-5		3-2

The Aesthetics
These are two very different logos. But on straight-up looks and color combinations, I'm a fan of the Bruins logo. The changes they made recently make a big difference in my eyes and I've never liked the hockey stick in the Thrashers logo.
Bruins

The Nickname
A Bruin would kill a Thrasher with his thumb. If he had a thumb. Instead he'll just have to use his giant teeth or something.
Bruins

The Analysis
This is where the Bruins lose the point. And you could say I'm being spiteful when I tell you the sole reason I'm taking this point away from them is that there's not a bruin to be seen in this logo. I like the one on the new shoulder patch. But what can you do? Also I actually do like the Thrashers color combo.
Thrashers

WINNER

2-1

 

Islanders vs Devils

	vs
ISLANDERS		DEVILS
1-8		8-1

The Aesthetics
How many of my silly rules can the Islanders possibly break with one single logo? Most of them is right. The Devils, however, have so much I like. Simplicity at its finest. I see horns, a pointy tail and a subtle "NJ." That says Devils like almost nothing else could.
Devils

The Nickname
The Devil's a pretty nasty guy. Islanders are just pathetic humans to him.
Devils

The Analysis
I'm a big fan of the outline of Long Island in the Islanders logo, but it's not better than the Devils. I'm sorry but it's true. The team name spelled out. The hockey puck, the stuck (as cleverly placed as it may be), maybe the Isles will get this point against another team. Not the Devils. It seems like sweeps are the order of the day.
Devils

WINNER

3-0

 

Red Wings vs Wild

	vs
RED WINGS		WILD
3-6		8-0

The Aesthetics
I feel like the detail in the Red Wings logo is a little too heavy-handed and unnecessary. However, I don't see any upgrades coming for it in the near future. People in Detroit love their team and their traditional logo, in 80 years, we've yet to see even a secondary logo that veers from this design. Anyway, that forest scene in the Wild logo gets cooler every time I look at it.
Wild

The Nickname
There may be a bird in the wild with Red Wings, but the Wild is an unforgiving place with plenty of predators.
Wild

The Analysis
I've given this point to the Red Wings on many occasions for the wheel attached to the wing, signifying Detroit as the Motor City. But what better scene could you have to portray Minnesota? Plus the name itself gives you a clue as to the teams geographical location. I can't really think of how you could improve upon the Wild logo. Hence the sweep.
Wild

WINNER

3-0

 

Penguins vs Rangers

	vs
PENGUINS		RANGERS
1-5		2-8

The Aesthetics
Throughout most of this tournament, I've been bad-mouthing the Penguins logo, ignoring the fact that I actually like it. Granted, I like the '90s logo better, but this one is kind of cool. Despite what you may think, I actually am a fan of retro, just not when retro sucks. Anyway, for not using their entire name to make the logo, I award this point to the Penguins.
Penguins

The Nickname
Perhaps there's an arctic wildlife preserve somewhere where a Ranger keeps tabs on a bunch of Penguins.
Rangers

The Analysis
I've said it enough times but both of these teams have and currently use logos that would make better primaries than the primaries they actually use. Did that make sense? Read it again if it didn't. Anyway, I may not like hockey sticks and equipment in what are meant to be hockey logos, but more than that I hate words in them. Words are not symbols. Well, they are, but in a different way. Plus, there's actually a penguin in the Penguins logo. Kudos for that.
Penguins

WINNER

2-1

 

Blackhawks vs Avalanche

	vs
BLACKHAWKS		AVALANCHE
2-9		7-0

The Aesthetics
I hate to say it, but look at the records, this may be a really easy one. But the tournament is winding down for the Blackhawks. Just two more matches left after today. So let's get to it. As I discussed with a reader in the comments a few days ago, I counted eight different colors in the Blackhawks logo. It desperately needs a more defined color scheme. The Avalanche logo, on the other hand, is one of those all-around sports logo classics.
Avalanche

The Nickname
I don't care how tough Chief Blackhawk thinks he is, even an Avalanche would do him in.
Avalanche

The Analysis
You could say both logos do a decent job of being logos. As much as I complain about the Blackhawks logo, there are no words or hockey paraphernalia in it. I just can't get past the colors and overall design. There are bigger and better things you can do with a name like Blackhawks. The Avalanche logo has great colors a cool design and subtle elements like the puck at the bottom end of the avalanche itself. I'm also a fan of the bigfoot secondary logo but I know this competition isn't about those.
Avalanche

WINNER

3-0

 

Wild vs Flames

	vs
WILD		FLAMES
7-0		8-0

The Aesthetics
This is going to be hard to watch. Two completely undefeated teams. And somebody has to lose. Here, though, you can't deny the beauty of the Wild logo. Great colors and a rather unique design.
Wild

The Nickname
The Wild cannot stand up to a wildfire. Flames can engulf a forest and leave nothing but ashes in its wake.
Flames

The Analysis
I'm convinced the Minnesota Wild logo is one of the most under-appreciated in the National Hockey League. How can you not admire it though? Not that it should take away from the Flames logo at all. I'm not sure how you could make it any better. I was one of the few, however, that liked the flaming horse logo from the third jersey. Still, that's not in competition here. So when comparing these two logos, the Wild has to win out.
Wild

WINNER

2-1

 

Canadiens vs Thrashers

	vs
CANADIENS		THRASHERS
6-2		4-4

The Aesthetics
As far as looks, I think the Thrashers have a great, strong logo. Unique color scheme. The hockey stick turns me off, though. The Canadiens logo, on the other hand, is very bold. It just stands out. And the bleu, blanc et rouge? Don't question it.
Canadiens

The Nickname
I feel like we've had a similar incident before, but say a Thrasher is flying in the air. It would be very easy for him to lay a "bomb" on the head of an unwitting Canadien.
Thrashers

The Analysis
First off, you'll notice that while the Thrashers logo actually features a bird, the Canadiens doesn't truly symbolize what it's meant to. But then the question is what does a "Canadien" look like anyway? So I guess the "C" is appropriate. It's well-designed and pays homage to the past in an aesthetically-pleasing manner. But enough talk about that. The Thrashers logo has some rather cool colors, but that would've earned it credit in Aesthetics above. Here, you gotta have something deeper. And the Habs have it. (That mysterious "H.")
Canadiens

WINNER

2-1

 

Oilers vs Kings

	vs
OILERS		KINGS
1-8		3-5

The Aesthetics
Well it's been a full two weeks since we've seen the Oilers in action. And at that time they were way ahead of everyone in matches played. Today, they're pretty much on par with the league. Unfortunately, they still have the same logo made up almost exclusively of the team name. The Kings on the other hand, are still looking as good as ever.
Kings

The Nickname
A King rules the land. An Oiler digs in it.
Kings

The Analysis
I feel like the Oilers logo missed the boat. The current shoulder logo isn't all bad and the third jersey logo is epic (after all, it was created by a comic book writer). Put this one on the shoulder. And that is all I have to say on the matter. The Kings hit the nail on the head with this logo. I like the purple shield they used in the late '90s but a crown is so much more effective. Add in the subtle hockey sticks and the suns on either side and you can call this a sweep of the coolest kind.
Kings

WINNER

3-0

 

Lightning vs Penguins

	vs
LIGHTNING		PENGUINS
3-4		0-5

The Aesthetics
Both logos have simple color schemes. The Lightning logo lacks the movement seen in the Penguins. The hockey stick gives it a demerit but the Lightning logo goes all out with the team name. That doesn't win points.
Penguins

The Nickname
If a Penguin got struck by Lightning, that would be that.
Lightning

The Analysis
Not only is the penguin in the Penguins logo carrying a hockey stick, but he's donning hockey gear with the gloves and skates. It's cute — if he's in a comic book, not on the front of a jersey. The '90s era logo was an improvement, though I am a fan of the Vegas gold. Fortunately for the Pens, despite all of that, the Lightning logo's use of a '90s era lettering and a flat yet 3-D bolt wins them the point.
Penguins

WINNER

2-1

 

Avalanche vs Ducks

	vs
AVALANCHE		DUCKS
6-0		1-7

The Aesthetics
The Avalanche logo is one of those sports logo classics that I feel will be one of those icons that lasts forever. It certainly has the potential. The Ducks logo needs a change and fast. Perhaps it can lose the words and just stick with the duck foot "D." I'm assuming that's what they're going to do this summer, but until they announce it, we're stuck with this version.
Avalanche

The Nickname
If a Duck got caught in an Avalanche, he'd be toast.
Avalanche

The Analysis
The great thing about the Avalanche logo is that I can't actually envision anything else in its place. What would be a better logo for the team than that? There's nothing. Meanwhile, the Ducks need help and I'm going to say flat out that they're losing this point because the logo is nothing more than a wordmark.
Avalanche

WINNER

3-0