I know.. it's insane.
Most people usually say that the Western teams are quite a bit stronger than the Eastern teams...
Interestingly enough.. Ottawa cruised through the playoffs last year and then got crushed by Anaheim in the finals. Pittsburgh's cruised through this year and so far, are getting crushed by Detroit.
Cup winners since 2000:
# 2007 Anaheim Ducks
# 2006 Carolina Hurricanes
# 2005 Season Cancelled
# 2004 Tampa Bay Lightning
# 2003 New Jersey Devils
# 2002 Detroit Red Wings
# 2001 Colorado Avalanche
# 2000 New Jersey Devils
4 Eastern.. 3 Western.. So there you go, you can argue a case either way I suppose.