I don't think I buy the analogy, either. For one thing, the East was pretty weak compared to the West from about 3 to 10 years ago. So there was no one in Washington's way to the Finals, other than Pittsburgh, for most of Ovechkin's career and they still couldn't make it. They've won 8 division titles in 11 years and this is the first time they managed to get out of the East playoffs, despite only losing to the Penguins twice in that time. The Blues of the last decade (before the balance seemed to shift a few seasons ago), on the other hand, could blame the Kings and Blackhawks for a lot of their woes. And they had the Red Wings to blame back in the Hull era.
Completely agree with your last sentiment, though. I'm not sure if it's anger at the league screwing up so badly on the expansion draft, the style of play, the smoke and mirrors aspects of it, the absolutely hideous uniforms, or what, but I deeply, viscerally want Vegas to lose. Maybe it's just that as a native Minnesotan, the idea of Las F'ing Vegas, where I'm sure there are some transplants and a few legit hockey fans around, but there's ZERO history of the sport and it's the middle of the godforsaken desert, winning a championship in its first season of HOCKEY, without paying a single cent of dues, before my home state gets one just burns me like you cannot believe. I already can't wait for reality to set in when this team returns to the middle of the pack, the novelty wears off, no one's as excited to see a team that sucks, and the casinos and corporations have bought up all the tickets so the average person can't afford one anymore. It will be 80% tourists at their home games, and if they're ever a bottom dweller for several years even that will suffer. No offense to any Nevadans, but the fact that there's an NHL team there and not in Quebec City or Halifax chaps my hide. You have not earned this. I mean, the whole Nashville thing is annoying enough.
Also, you kids GET OFF MY LAWN.