Rangers vs Canadiens


vs
RANGERS
CANADIENS
1-1
0-0

The Aesthetics
The blue, red and white abound here. Truthfully, I like the Canadiens logo's blue is better. It's a little deeper and contrasts the red nicely. Unfortunately for the Rangers, the spelling out of the team name and city always makes for an unwelcome distraction. The Canadiens logo not only has a "C" but a subtle "H."
Canadiens

The Nickname
A park Ranger is a big fella who lives in the wilderness. A little French Canadien would get pounded in a fistfight. No chance.
Rangers

The Analysis
For both teams, the nicknames make it difficult to come up with a logo that pushes beyond letters. Both logos come from Original Six teams and so have been around a number of years. Their staying power is impressive but do they really represent their team names? The Rangers logo utilizes a simple shield common in many logos while the Canadiens actually works in a subtle "H" that means something to French fans. For being clever, the Canadiens squeak by with the point.
Canadiens


WINNER
2-1

 

Blue Jackets vs Flames


vs
BLUE JACKETS
FLAMES
1-0
0-0

The Aesthetics
Here we see two teams with very nice logos. The Flames logo is a great idea if not a little obvious. The Blue Jackets, on the other hand, works in a very subtle "C" and other clever elements that make it more visually appealing. But it was a close one.
Blue Jackets

The Nickname
The Blue Jackets fighting for the Union were great soldiers, but they don't really stand a chance against Flames. Unless their coats happened to be fire retardant. But they weren't.
Flames

The Analysis
Aside from its Civil War history, Columbus' choice for a team named the Blue Jackets seems a little odd to me. I really like the fact that the Flames kept the name after moving from Atlanta to Calgary. The flames inside the "A" for the Atlanta logo goes very well with the "C" currently used. The "A" is even used today as the alternate captain patch on the ice.
Flames


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

 

Rangers vs Senators


vs
RANGERS
SENATORS
1-0
0-1

The Aesthetics
I know the Rangers logo has been around forever but it's a little boring. I'm also a little annoyed at the fact that, while it is the primary logo for the team, it never makes an appearance on any of the team's jerseys. The Senators, however, is a solid design that we actually see on the uniforms.
Senators

The Nickname
In a straight-up fistfight, a Ranger could totally take a Senator.
Rangers

The Analysis
The Rangers have been around forever, though there's a case to be made that the Senators have too — they just had to endure a long hiatus. Ultimately, though, I really think the Rangers need to upgrade their look and go with the third jerseys full time, including the primary and secondary logos. That's why they don't get the point.
Senators


WINNER
2-1

 

Kings vs Coyotes


vs
KINGS
COYOTES
1-1
0-0

The Aesthetics
The similarities in these logos are interesting. Both feature white, black, a deep jewel tone and an off-white color — purple and silver for the Kings, brick red and sand for the Coyotes. I was a fan of the original Coyotes logo so I didn't understand why they'd planned to change it. Still, I wasn't completely disappointed with the result. For me, it wins out over the Kings.
Coyotes

The Nickname
The same way it had the predator killed, the King could easily have one of his minions take out any Coyote that might wish him harm. Easily.
Kings

The Analysis
Okay seriously, could the Coyotes have come up with a better name for the team when it moved from Winnipeg? I doubt it. While I'm not sure what relevance kings have to Los Angeles, it does make a good name for a sports team. The Coyotes get the point just by a slight margin.
Coyotes


WINNER
2-1