Islanders vs Rangers

	vs
ISLANDERS		RANGERS
0-6		2-5

The Aesthetics
You've been waiting for it. The big New York showdown. And how fitting for Independence Day. (Yeah, actually I don't know what relevance that has either.) First off, both logos break the cardinal rule of spelling out the name. On the upside, the Islanders logo at least does it a bit more artfully. The problem I have is the hockey stick and puck. As for the other one, blandness thy name is Rangers. Seriously, two words. Lady. Liberty.
Islanders

The Nickname
You know frankly, there's no reason an Islander couldn't also be a Ranger. Conundrum. But for argument's sake, we'll say they're two separate dudes — in a straight-up fistfight. Fishing net versus tranq gun. I think we all know who gets capped in this one.
Rangers

The Analysis
So we're even going into this category, but if you've been reading long enough, you already know where I'm going. The Rangers logo makes no attempt at recognizing its home city — unless you want to say the shield itself has an extremely subtle NY in it. Personally, I don't. With Long Island making an appearance in the Islanders logo, I have to send the point their way for the modicum of effort. (First victory for the Isles in the tourney.)
Islanders

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

 

Penguins vs Canadiens

	vs
PENGUINS		CANADIENS
0-3		4-1

The Aesthetics
For clever design I'm going to award this point to the Canadiens. The Penguins logo loses it because of the blatant hockey stick that penguin is holding.
Canadiens

The Nickname
Canadiens and Penguins both live in the arctic. But humans can be vicious and penguins are not and so's the way it goes.
Canadiens

The Analysis
In prior matches, I've talked about how cool the Canadiens logo is for working in that mysterious "H." Some will say it stands for "hockey" but I like to think there's something more behind it. Something French, perhaps so as to tie the logo to its home city of Montreal. Meanwhile, the Penguins logo has no connection to Pittsburgh and might as well be from Kansas City. And as for the logo itself, I was always more a fan of the '90s penguin.
Canadiens

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