Does the seating really matter?

Seating does matter, but more so long term. Think of the Chicago Blackhawks and the Calgary Flames. Those two will have nothing left in the tank to go to the second round. If they do somehow make it through there, there is no way they have anything left in the Conference Finals. The higher seeds generally have themselves an easier path to the cup. The Eastern Conference was difficult this year because the lower ranked teams were all teams that had underachieved for most of the season and either bareley hung on to their playoff spot (Montreal) or got hot at the right time (Rangers and Carolina) to get in. They weren't your traditional lower ranked team. The Sharks are a different team entirely. They began to fizzle towards the end of their season, collecting a fair number of single point games. Had they played like that all season they would not have been number one that is for sure. The playoffs is a different type of game, and it doesn't favour the Sharks. Come playoff time the games get more physical, more gritty and the Sharks don't play that way. In Anaheim's 3 wins it's a simple case of the Sharks being outworked. Numerous video replays show Marleau and Thornton just floating around the ice - you can't do that in the playoffs and it's catching up to them. So yes, I think the rankings do matter, but not so much in the first round. You can't take your opponent lightly, but you are set up for greater long term success. Think of it this way - when was the last time you saw an 8th ranked team win the Stanley Cup? I don't recall it ever happening in my life time.