I bet the NHL has some sort of deal with the US networks that Colorado and Dallas have to go far in the playoffs because Canadian teams are low-draws. This is a multi-million dollar business, and even though Bettman says that he's happy for 4 Canadian teams, he's really just grinding his teeth, because Boston, Chicago and one of the Florida teams are not in.
A few bucks to the refs, and we suddenly have unfavorable calls. Jesus, I sound like some X-Files junkie here...