Blue Jackets vs Ducks

	vs
BLUE JACKETS		DUCKS
3-1		0-5

The Aesthetics
Is there really a question here? Because it seems rather obvious to me.
Blue Jackets

The Nickname
Bayonet versus beak. While at war the Blue Jacket would perhaps need to go hunt for food. A Duck would make an easy meal.
Blue Jackets

The Analysis
I keep wishing the Ducks announce a change to their logo during this tournament. Just simply going to the webbed "D" would would for me. Until then, though, they'll likely continue to take a beating in this competition. Love the colors, hate the wordmark. The Blue Jackets logo, on the other hand, couldn't be more appropriate.
Blue Jackets

WINNER

3-0

 

Kings vs Flames

	vs
KINGS		FLAMES
2-4		5-0

The Aesthetics
Solid color schemes and unique outlines are what we have here. The Kings logo is a little complicated but I like the subtle hockey sticks at the top of the crown. As for the Flames, simplicity can sometimes not work out. The flames on the left side of the logo seem unbalanced (which in some cases can be good), but I like the symmetry in the Kings emblem.
Kings

The Nickname
Flames could completely burn down everything the King's land and there isn't a whole lot he can do to stop it.
Flames

The Analysis
Nothing says Kings like a crown but the Flames logo actually has flames — and a "C" to symbolize Calgary. I also like the subtle suns on the sides of the crown to remind us the Kings live in California. It's a tough choice, but ultimately, the Flames get the point.
Flames

WINNER

2-1

 

Flames vs Coyotes

	vs
FLAMES		COYOTES
4-0		2-1

The Aesthetics
In an odd twist, both of these logos feel animate to me. I can almost see the flames flickering and hear the coyote howling. That's what you call strong logos. The reason that the Coyotes are getting this point over the Flames is that it feels a little more polished. That's understandable though, when you consider the 25 years difference in the age of the logos.
Coyotes

The Nickname
Fire pretty much burns up everything and if the Coyote couldn't escape the Flames, well, he'd be... toast.
Flames

The Analysis
Here's where we determine the winner of this match. The Coyotes logo is great but on looking at it, you don't really get a feel for where its from. And while you could make the case that the obvious desert colors point us to the southwestern U.S., I'd make the case that the flaming "C" will always stand for Calgary (despite anything I might have previously said that could indicate the contrary). Find me a Calgarian who doesn't recognize it. Or any hockey fan.
Flames

WINNER

2-1

 

Sharks vs Stars

	vs
SHARKS		STARS
3-3		2-2

The Aesthetics
Both of these logos have lost as many matches as they've won. So it would appear we're looking at a pair of mediocre logos here. But it doesn't really feel that way. Despite the unique colors — teal and silver — the Sharks logo is complicated and rather minutely detailed. It also features a hockey stick rather prominently. As a polar opposite, the Stars logo is simple and too features unique colors with a heaping side of giant letters. Obviously both logos could use an overhaul or at least slight improvements. Ultimately the edge is going to the Sharks for actually being a logo and not a wordmark.
Sharks

The Nickname
Crazy huge, insane ball of fire hurling at lightning speed. The Star incinerates the Shark quicker than you could do half a blink.
Stars

The Analysis
Aside from its cosmetic shortfalls, the Sharks logo is rather fierce looking. It's what I think of when I think shark. It definitely captures the team's name. The Stars does a decent job too but it goes a step further, symbolizing its home state of Texas — the Lonestar State — with its single star. I'm not saying its perfect, but it gets my vote here.
Stars

WINNER

2-1

 

Ducks vs Stars

	vs
DUCKS		STARS
0-4		1-2

The Aesthetics
Yikes! The similarities here are rather glaring and not at all good. Both logos spell out the entire team name and use a single letter to create what would otherwise be a decent logo. The "D" in Ducks creates a webbed foot. The "A" in Stars creates the top point in a star. It's actually almost impressive. And then there's the unique colors. But in this case, it's the horrible horizontal proportions of the Ducks logo that loses it this point.
Stars

The Nickname
Giant. Flaming. Ball of fire. Nothing stands a chance against a Star, especially not a little quacking Duck.
Stars

The Analysis
Because both logos are guilty of it, we're going to have to look past all the letters in these two logos. Now, despite being introduced in the last season of the Minnesota North Stars' tenure, the Stars logo has a rather Lonestar State feel to it — perfect for Dallas. The Ducks are in the process of rebranding the team, not too difficult a task now that the club has a Stanley Cup championship under its belt. Still, if it's going to succeed in this competition, a better logo will be required. The Ducks get swept once again.
Stars

WINNER

3-0

 

Coyotes vs Avalanche

	vs
COYOTES		AVALANCHE
2-0		5-0

The Aesthetics
Brick red and burgundy. Not your common logo colors, but they make for some strong, cool-looking logos. And both logos represent the team name well. You've got a howling Coyote on one side and an avalanche falling down a mountain shaped like an "A" on the other. Who to choose? So I'm going to look at it from a classic perspective. I see the Avs with the same logo in 50 years. The Coyotes? Not so much.
Avalanche

The Nickname
I don't think Coyotes live in the mountains or even cold climates, but if one found himself amidst an Avalanche, it would surely do him in.
Avalanche

The Analysis
Neither logo goes out of its way to represent the home town. The Avalanche logo comes closest with the snow-capped mountain but that just means the team was named well. The Coyotes take care of Phoenix with a reference on the shoulder patch but this competition doesn't take that into account. So as you can see, this also is a very difficult point to award. For the subtle puck and clever use of the team's initial, this point goes the way of the Avs.
Avalanche

WINNER

3-0

 

Avalanche vs Sharks

	vs
AVALANCHE		SHARKS
4-0		3-2

The Aesthetics
I truly believe the West has some of the best logos in the league. The colors are even just cool to look at. But only one can take the point. I like the incorporation of the "A" in the Avs logo while at the same time being annoyed at the lack of color used in the Sharks. The graphic is misleading as the only teal in the logo itself is in a thin outline of the triangle.
Avalanche

The Nickname
This is another tricky one. What business would a Shark have on a mountainside during an Avalanche? Unless you make the case that by avoiding the mountain altogether, he's got the upper hand on the snowy slide.
Sharks

The Analysis
Okay, let's dig deep now. You can pretty much guess the team name from both logos though I wish they would've both done more to represent their city, but I'll live. However! There's nothing I hate more than the blatant use of something like a hockey stick (see Sharks) — despite it being eaten by a shark — and nothing I admire more than the subtle use of something like a puck (see Avs). And so as you can see the choice is rather clear.
Avalanche

WINNER

2-1

 

Red Wings vs Blackhawks

	vs
RED WINGS		BLACKHAWKS
1-4		1-4

The Aesthetics
That is an awful lot of red up there. Both logos have a lot of unnecessary detail that stems back from the Dark Ages. Yes, these are both Original Six clubs but there still should be logo accountability to some extent. The other five should borrow a page from the Bruins book and liven things up a little. (Yes, even the Canadiens could use some sprucing.) The Blackhawks logo takes the point because it doesn't blend into the background.
Blackhawks

The Nickname
Chief Black Hawk would've possibly had a bow an arrow. And if he was a good shot, he could take out a bird, even one of the Red-Winged variety. Damn, that was a stretch.
Blackhawks

The Analysis
This point is all Wings. While I commend both logos on decent portrayal of the team name — with a red wing and an Indian — it's the Red Wings logo that goes the extra mile (pun) with the wheel attached to the wing. The wheel, of course, symbolizes Detroit's history as the Motor City. So they won't go away empty-handed here.
Red Wings

WINNER

2-1

 

Oilers vs Wild

	vs
OILERS		WILD
1-7		3-0

The Aesthetics
This one so easy it's practically screaming in my ear. Need I really explain it?
Wild

The Nickname
What would an Oiler do if he found himself out in the Wild? Probably get eaten by a bear, I imagine.
Wild

The Analysis
When it comes to a logo that portrays a team name without actually being blunt about it, I think we all know who wins here too. The only thing missing from the Wild logo that you find in the wild of Minnesota are the lakes. But that would probably be difficult to work in. As for the Oilers, I've said it before. There's a shoulder patch and a third jersey crest that would make me much happier. Consider yourself swept, Oilers.
Wild

WINNER

3-0

 

Canucks vs Coyotes

	vs
CANUCKS		COYOTES
2-3		1-0

The Aesthetics
Both of these logos made their debut within the last ten years and have a few similar elements. The Canucks color scheme is a little more dynamic but the Coyotes logo looks a little more animated. This is a really difficult decision since both logos are just so cool. I would flip a coin, but that doesn't seem fair. If it came down to which logo I'd rather have on my jersey, I'd have to go with the Coyotes.
Coyotes

The Nickname
Canucks may go hunting for Coyotes. It's possible.
Canucks

The Analysis
This is usually the Canucks logo's downfall. Aside from the "C" the logo forms, I can't quite figure out what an Indian-designed orca whale leaping out of ice has to do with Canucks. At least coyotes are common in the deserts of Arizona. But that's not even the point. It's the logo that has to match the name, not the name that has to match the city, necessarily. Now that is a coyote!
Coyotes

WINNER

2-1