I see what you mean. Than it might be better to change that 3rd game to a 3 game series, like the normal playoff finals. Or play the 3rd game on sunday like the 3rd game of the finals would be. Or just let it be a second game only and let the inter conference game go.
You are right that no risk of being relegated is worth something and that fan bases are happier about this. And that you probably won't start plannning fot it soon. But I still think that it would be better to at least add 1 more game for the first round losers because now you pay full week salaries for 1 game. It's a small issue (even though issue might be a big word for this). But still.