Lightning vs Canadiens

	vs
LIGHTNING		CANADIENS
5-5		7-3

The Aesthetics
Man, I'm starting to get too predictable. If it's got words, count it out. But wait! Do I have a surprise for you! You see, the Canadiens logo is all letters — a "C" and an "H" — while the Lightning logo may have the team name, it actually has a graphic symbol of a lightning bolt. Try to resist the temptation of calling me biased. My team's logo sucks and is performing as such in this tournament.
Lightning

The Nickname
Imagine being a Canadien walking down the street only to then be struck by Lightning. That would hurt.
Lightning

The Analysis
I've been getting conflicting reports from visitors to the blog over whether the "H" in the Canadiens logo stands for "hockey" or "Habs" — as in Les Habitants. Unfortunately for me, neither visitor has identified himself as a sports or hockey historian leaving me with no real answers. (One even asked to get my facts straight at Wikipedia of all places.) Regardless, I think the "H" is cool. I think it's cool that it could stand for either one of those things — or both. There's nothing that cool about the Lightning logo. No sweep.
Canadiens

WINNER

2-1

 

Sabres vs Lightning

	vs
SABRES		LIGHTNING
5-3		4-5

The Aesthetics
I don't think this requires a whole lot of scrutiny. The Sabres logo obviously is a much better-looking logo than the Lightning's. If you need an explanation, try and see past all the words in the Lightning logo. Bet you can't.
Sabres

The Nickname
You know, metal is a good conductor of electricity. Still, a bolt of Lightning would fry even the toughest of Sabres.
Lightning

The Analysis
All this time I've been saying that the logo for a team called the "Sabres" conspicuously lacks, you know, a sabre. Turns out, I've been wrong all this time. A reader here recently pointed out to me that there is in fact a very subtle sword across the side of the buffalo. The white horn is the handle and the blue stripe protruding from it is the blade. I think that's really cool. However! It's the name of the team. It shouldn't be subtle. It should be right out there in the open. Make the buffalo subtle. At least there's a lightning bolt in the Lightning logo.
Lightning

WINNER

2-1

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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