NHL Playoffs 2022: Round 3 Countdown and Predictions

By Ally Koss
In Featured
Jun 1st, 2022
2 Comments

Our branding and aesthetics-based predictions went a not-so-great 2-4 in Round 2, somewhat leveling out our overall record to 8-6 after going 6-2 in Round 1. Now we’re down to four teams remaining, with an array of different design styles still in the mix.

• More: NHL Playoffs 2022: Round 1 Countdown and Predictions
• More: NHL Playoffs 2022: Round 2 Countdown and Predictions

A refresher for how this works: we’ll compare the overall branding of each series and see how they match-up. This includes the logos, alternate logos, jerseys, historical logos and jerseys, general legacy and everything else that builds a team’s brand. Additionally, the match-ups are going to be ranked according to which will be the best to watch from an aesthetic standpoint. Some jerseys work better head-to-head than others, and we’ll outline why. 

2022’s third round pairings provide contrasting styles in what could be considered toss-up match ups. Let’s take a look.

The Lightning just keep winning, and based on our metrics they keep looking pretty average in doing so. As they advance through each round of the playoffs, their simplistic brand continues to provide odd visual match ups for whichever franchise they pair up against. In this case, it just so happens they face a New York Rangers squad that would be difficult for any team to defeat visually. 

On one hand, you have New York and all of their distinctive design features that we’ve touched on before vs. a Tampa Bay team that doesn’t have much in the way of uniqueness. Overall the match up on the ice should look fairly decent, with the Rangers having the clear advantage. Both teams are traditional in terms of striping patterns and color palette, with New York’s pops of red working very well against white and blue of the Lightning. 

Tampa Bay Lightning visual brand: Ups and downs are a good way to describe the visual history of the Lightning. They were born out of the 90’s, and it shows via the visible angst in some of their third jerseys over the years. Lately, they’ve settled on a more traditional look that works well in a lot of ways, yet at the same time leaves something more to be desired. Their play on the ice was exceptional in Round 2…if only their look packed the same punch. 

New York Rangers visual brand: The Rangers brand identity has been consistent for a little while now…only about a hundred years. They absolutely own the look of diagonal chest lettering and block shadow numbers and letters. Their entire uni set creates the perfect balance of red, white and blue. Throw in their numerous special event jerseys, whether it’s been a Stadium Series, third jersey or a Winter Classic look, and they’ve been able to flex the brand in a way that usually works pretty well. All in all, never change New York. 

Prediction: Rangers in 5

These match ups were tough to rank…several design-related pro’s and con’s for each pairing. However, the visual contrast of Colorado vs. Edmonton is what ultimately moved it ahead of Tampa Bay vs. New York. 

The Avalanche’s brand is one of the best “non-traditional” looks in the NHL. From the color palette to the number fonts and striping patterns, they’ve done a good job in building an identity that is truly their own. For the Oilers, their brand is built on tradition via classic striping patterns, shoulder yokes and block numbering. In terms of this specific match up, oddly enough it’s the Oilers two worst design features that actually work well against the Avalanche in terms of aesthetics on the ice: their use of navy instead of royal blue and their navy third jerseys. Overall the darker navy blue provides more contrast against the Avs shade of blue. Plus, for games in Edmonton the Oilers navy third jerseys will match up much better visually against the Avs away whites than what their normal home orange jerseys would have… oof.

Colorado Avalanche visual brand: The Avs recent removal of black as an accent color has been an underrated, but really great addition by subtraction to their overall look. It gives them a cleaner and brighter visual identity that allows for better consistency across all elements of their home and away unis. Mix in their specialty jerseys and they look almost as good as they’ve played this season. 

Edmonton Oilers visual brand: Sporting one of the most unique and probably one of the most underrated logos in the NHL, the Oilers seem to keep getting in their own way when it comes to unnecessarily reinventing their color palette…which hinders the overall visual identity of the team. It’s easy to fall back on nostalgia as a crutch when it comes to design, but for Edmonton’s color palette: they got it right the first go-round. Time to go back. 

Prediction: Avalanche in 7

Agree? Disagree? Let us know in the comments below or join the conversation on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram!

2 Responses to “NHL Playoffs 2022: Round 3 Countdown and Predictions”

  1. Joe R says:

    Colorado looked miles better when they had the black pants, gloves, and helmets. Too much blue in their current set.

  2. […] • More: NHL Playoffs 2022: Round 1 Countdown and Predictions• More: NHL Playoffs 2022: Round 2 Countdown and Predictions• More: NHL Playoffs 2022: Round 3 Countdown and Predictions […]

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