1925-26 and 1926-27

 The 1925-26 season had the Hamilton Tigers dropped and had the New York Americans and Pittsburgh Pirates (not to confuse them with the baseball team), making 7 teams and schedule expanded to 36 games.  Nels Stewart of the Maroons was top scorer with 42 points (34g 8a) and won Hart Trophy.  Alec Connell was top goalie with 1.12 GAA.  Frank Nighbor won the Lady Byng trophy (gentlemanly conduct). Lady Byng trophy was introduced the previous season and Nighbor won that.  The postseason had the Montreal Maroons beat Pittsburgh 6 goals to 4 in semis, then beat Ottawa 2 goals to 1 for NHL championship, then beat Victoria Cougars 3 games to 1 for the Stanley Cup. The WHL (formally the WCHL)  folded the following May, making the NHL the only league existing.

1926-27 had three teams join. Victoria Cougars became the Detroit Cougars, Portland Rosebuds became the Chicago Blackhawks and the New York Rangers picked up other players from the WHL.  That makes 10 teams playing a 44 game schedule.  Divisions were introduced. Canadian division had Ottawa, Toronto, both Montreal teams and New York Americans.  American division had Detroit, Chicago, Pittsburgh, Boston and New York Rangers.  Bill Cook (NYR) was top scorer (33 g 4a), Clint Benedict was top goalie (1.42 GAA), Herb Gardiner was Hart Trophy winner, Billy Birch (NYA) was Lady Byng trophy winner and George Hainsworth was Vezina trophy winner (fewest goals allowed).  The postseason: quarterfinals had Montreal Canadiens beat Montreal Maroons 2 goals to 1 and Boston beat Chicago 10 goals to 5. Semi finals had Ottawa beat Montreal 6 goals to 1 and Boston beat the new York Rangers 3 goals to 1. Ottawa beat Boston 2 games to none with two ties.  Two more seasons tomorrow.