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

 

Avalanche vs Predators

	vs
AVALANCHE		PREDATORS
0-0		0-0

The Aesthetics
These are two of the coolest looking logos in the NHL, so it should be a close battle. Both logos make use of detail, the Predators more so than the Avalanche. Despite the nice color combination, however, the detail in the Predators is a little too much. The Avalanche logo has better proportions and is very streamlined while making clever use of its name.
Avalanche

The Nickname
Walking through the snow-covered, mountain woods, even the Predator in a saber-toothed tiger couldn't possibly live through the destruction of an Avalanche.
Avalanche

The Analysis
They play in the often snow-capped Rocky Mountains of Denver so it's not a big leap to determine where the name comes from. The Predators, on the other hand, have a cooler story. While the arena where they play was being built, construction workers came upon the ancient bones of what was once a saber-toothed tiger. That is how the logo was born.
Predators

WINNER

2-1

 

Sabres vs Maple Leafs

	vs
SABRES		MAPLE LEAFS
0-0		0-0

The Aesthetics
The Maple Leafs' crest is rather one-dimensional and while the Sabres' isn't the worst-looking logo in Buffalo sports, it's pretty bad. Still, the edge goes to them only slightly for its style and use of color.
Sabres

The Nickname
If a swordsman was riding through the woods, his Sabre would easily slice through any Maple Leaf that might get in its way.
Sabres

The Analysis
I don't understand why every team from Buffalo, New York must have a buffalo in its logo. I get the importance of the animal to the area, but put it on the shoulder. Why has the saber been relegated to the secondary mark? My favorite Sabres logo ever was the one used on the front of the red third jerseys. This one is a no brainer. What symbol is on the Canadian flag? This is Toronto. Enough said.
Maple Leafs

WINNER

2-1

 

Red Wings vs Kings

	vs
RED WINGS		KINGS
0-0		0-0

The Aesthetics
I've said before that ultra-traditionalism shall have no part in this competition. So I don't care that the Red Wings logo has been around for ages. It could use an upgrade. This is, after all, 2007. Among other things, I like the Kings' color scheme. It's something different.
Kings

The Nickname
I can't say for sure what sort of bird a Red Wing would belong to, but I'm fairly sure the King of the land would have nothing to say about it.
Red Wings

The Analysis
When I think "king," I think crown, so the Kings hit it right on the money. But I like how the Red Wings logo incorporates a wheel. After all, before Detroit was dubbed Hockeytown, it was Motor City.
Red Wings

WINNER

2-1

 

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