1923-24 and 1924-25

 The 1923-24 season had 4 teams and 24 games schedule.  1. Plans for expanding into the U.S. were discussed. 2. Frank Nighbor of Ottawa was first Hart Trophy winner. 3. Cy Denneny of Ottawa was top point getter with 24 points (22 g 2 a).  4. Georges Vezina was top goalie with 1.97 has.  5. Montreal beat Ottawa 5 goals to 2 to win NHL championship, then beat Vancouver Maroons 2 games to none in semi finals, then beat Calgary Tigers to win Stanley Cup.  6. PCHA folded after this season leaving the NHL and WCHA.

1924-24 see two teams added and 6 more games added, making a six team league and a 30 game schedule. 1.  Boston Bruins and Montreal Maroons were added (yes there were two teams in Montreal).  2. New playoff format had 1st place team get bye into league finals and 2nd and 3rd place teams play in league semis.  3.  Hamilton Tigers had finished first and refused to play unless they got $200 for each player for the six extra regular season games played. They and the NHL negotiated to no avail, and the Tigers were suspended. 4. Montreal beat Toronto 5 goals to 2 to win the NHL championship, then lost to the Victoria Cougars in Stanley Cup finals.  The Cougars are the only non NHL team to win the Stanley Cup (NHL was formed in 1917).