Islanders vs Capitals

	vs
ISLANDERS		CAPITALS
0-0		0-0

The Aesthetics
The Capitals' new logo debuts in the tournament today — a day after being officially unveiled — and sadly, there's nothing very impressive about it. Both logos manage to spell out the team names completely. And both incorporate a hockey stick. And a puck! Completely unnecessary, in my opnion. Neither team should get this point. But somebody has to. The Islanders logo is a lot easier on the eyes in comparison.
Islanders

The Nickname
It's in the Capital where laws are written that might affect Islanders and perhaps what fish they're allowed to catch or not catch. I suppose.
Capitals

The Analysis
As I mentioned in Aesthetics, both logos have hockey sticks, pucks and the team name spelled out. The difference (aside from color) is how they incorporate representations of their home towns. We have an orange map of Long Island on one which is fairly obvious. On the other we have a very subtle ode to D.C. with three stars above Washington which are culled from the District of Columbia flag. I love subtlety in logos.
Capitals

WINNER

2-1

 

Panthers vs Devils

	vs
PANTHERS		DEVILS
3-0		0-0

The Aesthetics
Finally, the Devils have a match. And things are looking up already. You have the subtle "NJ" along with a simple, fear-inspiring design gives them the edge over the Panthers logo. It may seem like I hate all logos with small details, but that's just not the case. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't. Normally it would work for the Panthers, but just look at that Devils logo.
Devils

The Nickname
The Devil could strike a Panther dead if it ever tried to attack. Yeah, he's that powerful.
Devils

The Analysis
Here's where the Panthers avoid the sweep. They are a very aptly named team. There's nothing wrong with the Devils, but I feel like that gets used a lot. Perhaps the Devils can get this point against another team.
Panthers

WINNER

2-1

 

Rangers vs Panthers

	vs
RANGERS		PANTHERS
2-2		2-0

The Aesthetics
One is arguably too detailed and one is arguably too simplistic. My argument is the Rangers logo utilizes 14 letters and I'm not a fan of that as you well know. This point goes to the Panthers.
Panthers

The Nickname
It's nice to be a park ranger in a league filled with animal mascots. The Ranger protects the endangered Panthers and their habitat and so has the upper hand in this relationship. Count it.
Rangers

The Analysis
When looking at a logo for the Rangers, a shield of some sort is probably the smartest choice. But times have changed and this logo desperately needs a rejuvenation. It has one if you check the shoulder of the team's third jersey. In fact, check the crest on that jersey and let's just go with that one. But more than that, the Panthers logo is cooler than almost anything.
Panthers

WINNER

2-1

 

Islanders vs Thrashers

	vs
ISLANDERS		THRASHERS
0-0		0-2

The Aesthetics
I've never been the biggest fan of words or hockey sticks especially in hockey logos. It's a little too on-the-nose if you ask me. The Islanders have both and for that reason they should lose the point. But then this logo is supposed to be traditional right? They've used it for a few decades now (minus those couple of years with the Gordon's fisherman). Still, the Thrashers logo is visually interesting and makes great use of color.
Thrashers

The Nickname
If a Thrasher was flying over an Islander, the bird would surely poop on his head. I know, effort.
Thrashers

The Analysis
It stood the test of time even when a mid-'90s mistake couldn't. The Islanders logo may only be 35 years old, but to many hockey fans, it's been around forever. But that doesn't automatically win you a point in this competition. You need to really show something. In this case, the Islanders logo shows a sense of where it's from with the map of Long Island featured. The Atlanta Thrasher? Maybe. But I'm not getting a feel for the city.
Islanders

WINNER

2-1

 

Panthers vs Capitals

	vs
PANTHERS		CAPITALS
1-0		1-0

The Aesthetics
Both logos use a lot of detail and eye-catching elements, but face it, the Panthers is just so much cooler. It's hard to say who has the better colors, but I"m going have to give the Panthers the edge here.
Panthers

The Nickname
The Panther is an endangered species and it is in the Capital where they write the laws to protect them.
Capitals

The Analysis
As I've said, the Panthers is a very appropriate nickname for a team from Florida. Not that Capitals doesn't work for a team from Washington, D.C. Ultimately, we have to look at the colors and logo design. I'm giving the edge to the Panthers because of the Capitals' use of hockey sticks in the logo. They do add some nice symmetry but they're rather unnecessary.
Panthers

WINNER

2-1

 

Flyers vs Hurricanes

	vs
FLYERS		HURRICANES
1-0		0-0

The Aesthetics
Both logos utilize black and white along with a primary color — red for the Hurricanes and orange for the Flyers. But the Hurricanes logo adds a silver accent. The Flyers works in a subtle "P" while the Hurricanes has a subtle puck. It's a tough one, but the Hurricanes gets the edge.
Hurricanes

The Nickname
Nothing can Fly anything in a Hurricane. It's as simple as that.
Hurricanes

The Analysis
I've always thought the Liberty Bell would make a good secondary logo for the Flyers, just like a torn hurricane flag makes a good secondary for the Hurricanes. But this competition is about primaries. Having said that, the Hurricanes name might be more appropriate for a team closer to the Gulf of Mexico, but still works for a state that has had its share of Hurricanes. I still don't really know what a "flyer" is exactly.
Hurricanes

WINNER

3-0

 

Maple Leafs vs Lightning

	vs
MAPLE LEAFS		LIGHTNING
0-1		0-0

The Aesthetics
Both of these teams break one of my cardinal rules. Spelling out the name in the primary logo. There's no need. It should be obvious which teams these are simply by the elements (i.e.: the leaf and the lightning bolt). That aside, the Lightning gets the edge for its use of color.
Lightning

The Nickname
If Lightning struck a maple tree, all the Maple Leafs would go up in flames.
Lightning

The Analysis
Both teams are very aptly named. The leaf featured on the Canadian flag is used on a different color and Tampa, Florida is deemed by some to be the lightning capital of the world. The Maple Leafs logo has been around forever while the Lightning has only been around 15 years. The Maple Leafs has proved staying power but silhouette logos are too easy.
Lightning

WINNER

3-0

 

Thrashers vs Panthers

	vs
THRASHERS		PANTHERS
0-1		0-0

The Aesthetics
Both logos have very appealing color schemes but the Panthers logo is just a little too detailed for a good embroidery on a hat. The Thrashers logo incorporates a hockey stick which can be irritating in NHL logos. The Panther, however, is a lot more fierce-looking than the Thrasher. It gets the edge there.
Panthers

The Nickname
You might assume that since the Thrasher flies way above the Panther's head, it would easily take the cake. But the bird has to come down some time, perhaps for a worm dinner. That's when the cat gets its bird dinner.
Panthers

The Analysis
The Florida panther is an endangered species. The Thrasher is a songbird. The Panther was an easy choice for the south Florida-based team. But as a Lightning fan, I sometimes wonder why they went with Florida over Miami when naming the team. But then again, their cat is called the Florida panther.
Panthers

WINNER

3-0

 

Penguins vs Capitals

	vs
PENGUINS		CAPITALS
0-0		0-0

The Aesthetics
Right off, both logos have a lot of complexities though we find a lot more in the Capitals, obviously. On the other hand, its colors are appealing and used well. The Penguins makes use of only a single color outside of black and white (albeit a good color). Despite the Capitals' use of a script spelling out the team name (and city) within in the logo, it still squeaks by with the point.
Capitals

The Nickname
If we assume the Capitals are lawmakers of some sort, then it's their job to write laws to protect Penguins and other animals. They therefore have the upper hand.
Capitals

The Analysis
Washington, D.C. is the capital of the United States so the name seems like a rather obvious choice. But as far as the name goes, my question is: What is a Capital? A Penguin is a little ineffectual flightless bird. Regardless, I don't know what relevance Penguins have to the city of Pittsburgh as Penguins tend to live in rather chilly locales.
Capitals

WINNER

3-0

 

Thrashers vs Rangers

	vs
THRASHERS		RANGERS
0-0		0-0

The Aesthetics
Even though I didn't like the team's name, I've liked the Thrashers' logo ever since it was first unveiled when the team started playing in 1999. The Rangers, on the other hand, not so much. I think they should upgrade to the shoulder logo on the third jersey. Much nicer.
Thrashers

The Nickname
If the Thrasher is living in a national park, the park Ranger is protecting it and therefore has the upper hand.
Rangers

The Analysis
I don't know why it is that almost all the pro sports teams in Atlanta have to be named for birds, but the hockey team got burned. Falcons and hawks are birds of prey and despite "thrashing" being a good verb for use in defeating opponents, the thrasher is what, a songbird? Come on. By default, the Rangers take this one.
Rangers

WINNER

2-1