Tough to tighten up the playoffs more than they already are. Most game are every other night. A few times there are 2 nights off. The only area where they can maybe tighten it up are between series...but they are at the mercy of US TV schedules there. Kinda out of the NHL's hands.
The only way to get the playoffs done sooner would be to shorten training camp, start the season sooner. Other than that, not much flexibility with schedules that I can see. Each team has a week during the season, that was bargained for, with no games/no practice...can't really get rid of those. More back to backs is something no organization really wants. Might come down to decreasing from a 82 game schedule but I can't see owners OKing less ticket revenue.
It pretty much is what it is.