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

 

Maple Leafs vs Devils

	vs
MAPLE LEAFS		DEVILS
1-7		6-1

The Aesthetics
The disparity in the records of these two logos is rather apparent. However, look at them and you think hockey instantly. I'd say that they're recognizable to almost anyone on the continent. Still, this point is about looks. I've said over and over again that the Maple Leafs logo would be great if not for the team name in it. That remains true. Perhaps we'll have something new presented to us this summer. No official word from the team yet.
Devils

The Nickname
Those little Maple Leafs keep getting the raw end of this deal. But then we are talking about the Devil. Everything up in flames.
Devils

The Analysis
Here we have classic hockey logos that have been around for decades. That doesn't mean they couldn't use an upgrade, though. The Devils logo is great and though it doesn't really need it, a slight modernization wouldn't hurt. The Maple Leafs, on the other hand, need to get their name out of their logo. Otherwise, the leaf silhouette is awesome. Maybe next time.
Devils

WINNER

3-0

 

Bruins vs Senators

	vs
BRUINS		SENATORS
2-2		4-2

The Aesthetics
So while most teams have are at least halfway through the tournament, these two aren't. The Bruins actually have the fewest overall, this being only their fifth. So we'll be seeing them a lot in the final weeks of the competition. As far as aesthetics, the Bruins logo is simple and strong. Though it may not seem like it, the recent update makes a big difference. I hear a new Senators logo is in the offing and I wouldn't be sad to see this one go.
Bruins

The Nickname
Bruin mauls Senator. That would be an interesting newspaper headline.
Bruins

The Analysis
This is where the Bruins are unable to sweep. I see a "B" there which could stand for Boston or Bruins, but nowhere do I see an actual bruin. For that, you have to look to the new shoulder patch, which personally, I'd rather see on their crest. The Senators is as close as we'll come to logo that's appropriate to the name.
Senators

WINNER

2-1

 

Sabres vs Penguins

	vs
SABRES		PENGUINS
3-3		0-4

The Aesthetics
As far as looks, the Sabres have one of the sharpest logos in sports despite its absolute irrelevance. It's got strong colors and really jumps out at you. The Penguins logo sort of blends in and gets bogged down in minute details. The '90s logo was much better. I do, however, like the gold more than the yellow.
Sabres

The Nickname
A Penguin is a little flightless bird. A Sabre is a rather sharp instrument used for cutting. You do the math.
Sabres

The Analysis
This is where the Sabres have yet to notch a point in the standings and the reason they can't seem to pull off a sweep. It's not a Sabre! As a young Florida kid just learning about hockey, I swear I remember thinking a sabre was a kind of bison. And it was thanks to the damn logo. I'm not a Sabres fan (though I know they hate the logo), but I think it needs to be changed. John Slabyk is an excellent artist. The Penguins logo, however, actually has a penguin in it. He's carrying a hockey stick which doesn't impress me, but nonetheless, we'll take it.
Penguins

WINNER

2-1

 

Panthers vs Maple Leafs

	vs
PANTHERS		MAPLE LEAFS
6-1		1-6

The Aesthetics
Look at the contrast in these two logos sitting side-by-side. But let's be honest, which logo draws your eye better? While you could say the Panthers logo goes overboard on detail, you would have to say the Maple Leafs logo is sorely lacking in that category. And if that wasn't enough to give this point to the Panthers, the 17 letters in the Maple Leafs logo are.
Panthers

The Nickname
It's a Panther, you know, with razor sharp teeth and claws. And a Maple Leaf which has probably wilted and fallen from a tree. Sometimes things are obvious.
Panthers

The Analysis
While it's true that I've always liked the leaf silhouette, I'm turned off by the words inside it. There's so much that could be done with it. Add an outline. Perhaps a noteworthy landmark from Toronto like the CN Tower. Something to liven it up. But until the day comes when that happens, the Panthers will steal this point for the sweep.
Panthers

WINNER

3-0

 

Devils vs Sabres

	vs
DEVILS		SABRES
3-0		3-2

The Aesthetics
This is a quality Eastern Conference matchup. Or so it would seem on the face of it. Both logos have a few simple colors and a simple, clean design. But it's the subtle "NJ" in the devil that puts the Devils logo over.
Devils

The Nickname
The Devil is a pretty nasty character. You'll need more than a Sabre to defeat him.
Devils

The Analysis
This is where the Sabres logo has yet to earn a single point in the competition so far. Where is the sword? At least we see a silhouette with horns and a pointy tail in the Devils logo. We know what that is. If I didn't know any better I'd say the other logo was for a team called the Bison or the Buffaloes. Not the Sabres. I've gone though the whole Buffalo thing before. No sense in beating that horse. We'll call today sweep day.
Devils

WINNER

3-0

 

Sabres vs Thrashers

	vs
SABRES		THRASHERS
3-1		2-3

The Aesthetics
We've got pointy edges and curved lines galore. Don't you love it! If we just start denying points for the use of a hockey stick in a logo, I think that's a bit harsh. Aside from that particular blunder, the Thrashers actually have a very strong logo. The "Buffaslug" as Sabres fans call it, lacks color and imagination.
Thrashers

The Nickname
A little bird has no chance against a sharp sword. Or so you would think. The Thrasher, however, is smart enough to fly away from the man with the Sabre.
Thrashers

The Analysis
One question: Where is the sabre in the Sabres logo? When it gets found, I will award them this point. Until then, the Thrashers logo is fitting if for no other reason than it features an actual bird. The coolest thing, in my opinion, is the swatch of light blue at the top of the shield that the team has actually made into a primary color.
Thrashers

WINNER

3-0

 

Flyers vs Senators

	vs
FLYERS		SENATORS
4-4		3-2

The Aesthetics
It's funny. I never noticed the similarities between these two logos until just now. Both have wing-like elements on the left side and semi-circles on the right. Anyway, the Flyers logo has the same problem as the Sharks in the West. Too much black and not enough of the primary color. Find a way to make this logo more orange and then we'll talk. Until then, despite being a little heavy-handed with the detailing, the Senators logo is so much cooler looking.
Senators

The Nickname
Within the government, the Senator holds a lot of power over what laws should be passed to, say, protect endangered species, some of which may Fly. I know, a stretch, but you come up with something better. Seriously, comment away if you feel like it.
Senators

The Analysis
I'm not entirely sure what a Flyer is meant to be — perhaps a generic bird of some sort — but this competition is about logos, not team names. And when you say Philadelphia Flyers it's difficult for me to picture anything but the winged "P." So I'd say they got it right. I'm just not as happy with the Senators logo. I've heard rumblings that the Sens will go full-time with what is currently the third jersey logo. It's light years ahead of this one and I'd love to see them do it. Maybe then they can have this particular point.
Flyers

WINNER

2-1

 

Maple Leafs vs Rangers

	vs
MAPLE LEAFS		RANGERS
0-6		2-6

The Aesthetics
Don't we just love those Original Six matches? We have a combined total of 31 letters embedded in these two logos. How much worse can it get? There's no reason to spell out your team name all over a logo that is supposed to serve as a symbolic replacement for said name. I like the use of multiple colors in the Rangers logo but it's the unique maple leaf silhouette that at least gives us some graphical representation of the team name. They'll take the point.
Maple Leafs

The Nickname
If we're sticking with the whole park ranger interpretation — which is lame, I know — then its the Ranger who is in charge of protecting the Maple trees and their Leafs.
Rangers

The Analysis
Neither logo makes a real effort at city recognition but each has been in those cities for nearly a century. It's not that I hate old logos or those which have been around for many years. That's a big part of what hockey is today. These two logos are some of the most recognizable in all of sports. But that doesn't mean that graphically we still have to live in the early 20th century. Make a few upgrades to show us that these teams exist in 2007. A good example is the Bruins. Ward off staleness, folks. Now when it comes down to it, the Leafs logo takes this point for unique lettering and a very cool maple leaf outline. (Shut up! Did the Maple Leafs really just get a win?)
Maple Leafs

WINNER

2-1

 

Canadiens vs Flyers

	vs
CANADIENS		FLYERS
5-2		4-3

The Aesthetics
Here, both teams have rather generic names both logos are letter-based — one a "C" and the other a "P." And there's nothing wrong with that. In fact, I'm all for it. I'm also all for the use of color, which is rather lacking in the Flyers logo. A single small circle of orange doesn't exactly spread around the color. Like I've said, I like the third jersey logo a little better.
Canadiens

The Nickname
I'm not sure how a battle between a Canadien and a Flyer would go down, but if we say a Flyer is a bird, those are nasty little pooping machines and no one is safe when they are airborne.
Flyers

The Analysis
One thing I should've mentioned in the Aesthetics section is the attractive simplicity of these two logos. There's not a lot of annoying detail here, just plain old great logos. And they're similar in a lot of ways. In fact, both are division leaders at the moment. But ultimately, it's the use of color, the subtle "H" and the Flyers logo's need for an upgrade that insures the victory for the Canadiens.
Canadiens

WINNER

2-1