All the explanation how teams stay in hunt for longer is mostly false. In most cases the difference is that in system A you'll get eliminated on Thursday and in system B on Saturday. It's never about weeks of difference.
3-point system allows teams to catch at faster rate. And in some cases teams stay in the hunt longer with 3-point system than with current NHL system.
This is how Finnish Liiga looks today. Top 6 qualify for the quarterfinals, 7th to 10th go play 1st round for two remaining spots. Each team plays 60 games.
Lukko 41/81
Tappara 37/73
Ilves 39/72
Pelicans 40/67
KalPa 42/64
TPS 40/64
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Kärpät 40/63
Ässät 40/58
Jukurit 41/56
HPK 41/54
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KooKoo 39/53
HIFK 38/53
JYP 41/52
Sport 39/49
SaiPa 40/38
Only SaiPa is really out of the hunt.
I will try to make a comparison on elimination/clinching dates in NHL this season with different point systems.