1916–17 NHA season

The Montreal Canadiens defeated the Ottawa Senators in a playoff to win the NHA championship.

A scandal ensued when several stars were subsequently discharged, not having to fight and alleged they had been promised commissions solely to play hockey.

The Ottawa club wanted to suspend play for the season due to the war, but was voted down.

The following day, a meeting of the NHA executive in Montreal was held to deal with the 228th Battalion leaving for overseas.

[2] On February 13, Livingstone issued a statement that he was through with the NHA and that the Blueshirts franchise was available to the highest bidder.

Livingstone served one of the notices to Martin Rosenthal of the Ottawa Senators during the final game of the Montreal-Ottawa playoff.

Darragh broke in on a breakaway but was driven wide by Montreal's goaltender Georges Vezina.

In the second, Bert Corbeau scored to put Montreal two goals ahead on the playoff.

George Boucher scored before the second period ended to bring Ottawa back within a goal.

In the third, Cy Denneny replaced Eddie Gerard and from a pass by Nighbor scored on Vezina to tie the playoff.

With three minutes to play, Nighbor and Darragh broke in on Vezina, who stopped the shot and passed it out to Reg Noble.

Benedict attempted to clear the puck, but Smith was able to poke it into the net to put Montreal ahead again to stay on the playoff.

† Totals includes two 228th Battalion games played in second half, not counted in standings.