Canadiens vs Flyers

	vs
CANADIENS		FLYERS
5-2		4-3

The Aesthetics
Here, both teams have rather generic names both logos are letter-based — one a "C" and the other a "P." And there's nothing wrong with that. In fact, I'm all for it. I'm also all for the use of color, which is rather lacking in the Flyers logo. A single small circle of orange doesn't exactly spread around the color. Like I've said, I like the third jersey logo a little better.
Canadiens

The Nickname
I'm not sure how a battle between a Canadien and a Flyer would go down, but if we say a Flyer is a bird, those are nasty little pooping machines and no one is safe when they are airborne.
Flyers

The Analysis
One thing I should've mentioned in the Aesthetics section is the attractive simplicity of these two logos. There's not a lot of annoying detail here, just plain old great logos. And they're similar in a lot of ways. In fact, both are division leaders at the moment. But ultimately, it's the use of color, the subtle "H" and the Flyers logo's need for an upgrade that insures the victory for the Canadiens.
Canadiens

WINNER

2-1

 

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

 

Capitals vs Canadiens

	vs
CAPITALS		CANADIENS
3-2		5-1

The Aesthetics
The red, white and blue abound here with the Caps' recent return to the original colors. Unfortunately for them, I felt it was the bronze and blue that made them stand out — in a good way. For choosing a new logo that spells out the name — and uses a hockey stick and puck, all of which I hate — I should take the point away out of spite. But I'm not like that. The Habs' logo is actually better looking and more balanced.
Canadiens

The Nickname
A Canadien is a citizen and is therefore subject to the laws created and passed in the Capital.
Capitals

The Analysis
Being that it was just unveiled last month, the Capitals logo has a more contemporary feel than one that was basically designed almost a hundred years ago. Matched with the fact that the Caps actually makes an attempt at alluding to its home city with the stars of the D.C. flag representing Maryland, Virginia and the district itself, I'm tempted to give it to the Capitals right there. I can't say the Canadiens didn't put up a fight, though.
Capitals

WINNER

2-1

 

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

 

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