This is a great season to show how stupid the current NHL Playoff format is. The old way was Division Champs get the 1 & 2 seeds, then everyone else slots in.  The new way can, and often does, penalize teams for doing well.  While also rewarding teams that don't do as well.

The East Actual:
2 Panthers vs 7 Lightening  &  3 Canes vs 6 Isles

The East the Right Way:
2 Panthers vs 7 Isles  &  3 Canes vs 6 Lightening

If I'm the Panthers, I'd rather see the Isles, but we're only talking about one seed difference, and no one lost home ice advantage.  I can live with this.

The West is a shit show.

The West Actual:
2 Canucks vs 7 Preads  &  3 Jets vs 6 Avs  &  4 Oilers vs 5 Kings

The West the Right Way:
2 Canucks vs 7 Kings  &  3 Jets vs 6 Preads  &  4 Avs vs 5 Oilers

So because of the terrible 1st round format, the Avs go from being the Home team 4 seed and playing the 5 seed Oilers, to falling 2 seeds and being the Away team 6 seed versus the 3 seed Jets.

The Jets get F'd by having to face the Avs instead of the Preads.  The Oliers get rewarded by becoming the home team and facing the 7 seed Kings instead of the 4 seed Avs.

So very stupid