They didn't screw it up!
One thing I think the NHL gets wrong is the tie-breaker. If at the end of the regular season, 2 teams are tied and 1 will make the play-offs and one is out, they should play a game for the last spot. Let the team holding the "tie-breaker" host the game. If they are tied for seeding where both are in, or they are tied for lottery placement then use the tie-breaker. If Detroit and Washington both win tonight, they should be playing a game in Washington on Thursday or Friday for the last spot.
One thing I think the NHL gets wrong is the tie-breaker. If at the end of the regular season, 2 teams are tied and 1 will make the play-offs and one is out, they should play a game for the last spot. Let the team holding the "tie-breaker" host the game. If they are tied for seeding where both are in, or they are tied for lottery placement then use the tie-breaker. If Detroit and Washington both win tonight, they should be playing a game in Washington on Thursday or Friday for the last spot.