"The reseeding is where it really makes more sense, as you are rewarded (rightly) for doing good in the regular season."

The problem with 1 - 8 matchups is that teams in the Metro are more evenly matched and faced tougher opponents more than the Atlantic that got to face Buffalo, Ottawa, Montreal, and Detroit and for the most part Florida. I am not a bitter Isles fan, at least not about this, but, if the Isles got to play those teams more, they may have been in a better spot to make the playoffs. The same can be said out West and this isn't just an off year; this is very common.
- temmer29

Or worse:
vs the Habs this season: 1 OTW, 2 regulation losses
vs the Sabres this season: 2 Reg W, 1 OTW, 1 Reg L
vs Red Wings this season: 2 OTW, 1 reg L
vs Senators this season: 2 Reg W, 1 Reg L
vs Panthers this season: 1 OTW, 2 Reg L

so... really... they were 4 Reg W, 3 OTW, 7 Reg L... so... would it help their odds of making the playoffs??