None of that is really very different from a normal hockey season. It already has a very high percentage of teams getting into the playoffs every year, and given the frequency with which President’s Trophy winners lose in the first round. Given the fact that over half the league is in the playoffs mediocre teams are generally in contention all the way into the first round. It’s not as bad as it used to be, I remember when all but 5 teams made the playoffs and an 11 games under 500 Toronto Maple Leafs made the playoffs, and that was a full 82 game season.
But the playoffs always weed out the chaff, regardless of how they did in the regular season it’s still a challenge to win 16 out of 28 with a compressed schedule. Nobody wins The Cup as a fluke, they often get to the playoffs on a fluke, they might even get past the first round on a fluke. But putting together the full 16 requires more than a fluke.
So an 8 seed like the Kings winning the Cup isn’t a fluke?