I thought you weren't addressing that argument? However, if that's changed:
A team hasn't done jack IN THE PLAYOFFS unless they reach the CCG, because 4 teams have a good enough regular season every year they just have to show up to make the divisional round. That doesn't mean they didn't do a lot to earn that bye, but they haven't done anything IN THE PLAYOFFS till they reach the CCG.
For the rest, the system's not perfect; most years playoffs have some teams that aren't playoff caliber (e.g. Philly, GB, SD) and lack some that are (e.g. Arizona, arguably St. Louis.) That's life.