Lightning vs Flyers

	vs
LIGHTNING		FLYERS
2-3		4-5

The Aesthetics
You would think the fact that the entire team name being spelled out would automatically lose this point for the Lightning. But that's not quite the case. The Lightning logo makes much better use of color in that there's more of it. Despite wearing black home jerseys, the only black in the logo is the drop shadow on the bolt. The Flyers logo is almost all black but for the orange circle in the middle.
Lightning

The Nickname
No bird can Fly through a Lightning storm. It would get zapped!
Lightning

The Analysis
Neither logo makes a representation of its home city. The Lightning wear a shoulder patch with the outline of the state of Florida behind the bolt, but that logo's not in this competition. This one spells out the whole name and therefore defeats the purpose of what a symbol should be. The Flyers, however, does that very well. It's a "P" for Philly with a wing attached. (I guess the "P" flies.)
Flyers

WINNER

2-1

 

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

 

Thrashers vs Hurricanes

	vs
THRASHERS		HURRICANES
2-2		5-0

The Aesthetics
Both of these logos were introduced within a year of each other in the late '90s. The similarities I see are in the form of lots of sharp points. Also one has a hockey stick and the other a puck. Though the Hurricanes do a much better job of integrating the puck more subtly in that it's the "eye of the storm." I like that and the colors along with the logo's simplicity. But this wasn't an easy decision. The Thrashers logo is pretty killer too. Maybe if the Thrasher wasn't holding that dumb stick...
Hurricanes

The Nickname
A Thrasher can't fly in a Hurricane. He'll become all disoriented and what have you.
Hurricanes

The Analysis
Both teams have appropriate names for their particular locations. Both have great colors, though for a team that wears blue, the Thrashers logo doesn't make very good use of it. It's difficult to say who gets the point here, though. I see a Thrasher and I see a Hurricane and while neither makes an effort at representing Atlanta or the Carolinas, neither really needs to anyway. And though I can't say for certain exactly why, I feel this point should go to the Thrashers logo if for no other reason than that it doesn't deserve to be swept. Thus ending the series of shutouts for the Hurricanes.
Thrashers

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