there is mucho evidence. for example, espn's SOS has them at .548, the easiest strength of schedule in the league.
nothing obvious about that. the only real difference I can see between the two this year is tampa scoring a whole bunch more PP goals. we'll see how much of a real advantage that is going forward.
So, Winnipeg having a higher points percentage against the East than the West, and a higher points percentage against both conferences than Toronto isn't evidence that Winnipeg isn't an inferior team who is "record padding against a weaker conference".
But
ESPN's "strength of schedule" ranking is...
How about the fact that Tampa is doing what they're doing with a 101.08 PDO, while Toronto has a 102.94 PDO? How about the fact that Tampa has a 1.55% higher xGF%? How about the fact that Tampa has a 3.8% higher PK%?
How about the fact that Tampa (like Winnipeg) was also an elite team last year that made the Conference Finals, with top players that are proven playoff performers? Meanwhile, Toronto has 3 very important forwards (Marner/Matthews/Nylander) with only 10 playoff goals in 39 playoff games.