1931 - 32 NHL season The 1931 - 32 NHL season was the fifteenth season of the National Hockey League . Eight teams played 48 games each . The Toronto Maple Leafs swept the New York Rangers in three games for the Stanley Cup . League Business . Due to financial reasons , the Philadelphia Quakers and Ottawa Senators franchises were suspended for the season , bringing the total number of teams in the NHL down from ten to eight . ( The Quakers would not return ) The players went to other teams , but their contracts were intended to revert to the original clubs . The Detroit Falcons were bankrupt and went into receivership . Meanwhile , the American Hockey Association , which had become the AHL in 1930 - 31 and declared itself a major league , was condemned as an outlaw league by NHL president Frank Calder . Among the reasons Calder cited for his actions was that the AHL had put a franchise in Chicago , which had an NHL franchise , and a franchise in Buffalo where the NHL had a minor league affiliate . However , the Buffalo team collapsed and Calder entered into negotiations to merge the Chicago Shamrocks , owned by James E . Norris , with the Detroit Falcons , now bankrupt . Regular season . Howie Morenz was as effective as ever for the Montreal Canadiens and won the Hart Trophy again , as the Habs once again finished first . The Rangers finished first in the American Division . But it was to be the year of Toronto , with the NHL ' s leading scorer Harvey " Busher " Jackson leading the way . Maple Leaf Gardens opened , and its story was harrowing . At one point , the whole project was near collapse , but when Conn Smythe and Frank Selke convinced the unions to accept stock in the Gardens as partial payment of wages , Maple Leaf Gardens was built . Chicago spoiled the home opener with a 3 - 1 win and it was the Black Hawks Mush March who scored the Gardens first goal . The Montreal Maroons were very interested in obtaining Eddie Shore from Boston . James Strachan , president of the Maroons , said he was willing to pay up to $ 40 , 000 for his contract . However , there was no deal . As Boston had fallen to the bottom of the league , it was doubtful that the Bruins would part with their ace defenceman . Final standings . " Note : W = Wins , L = Losses , T = Ties , Pts = Points , GF = Goals For , GA = Goals Against , PIM = Penalties in minutes " < br > " Note : Teams that qualified for the playoffs are highlighted in green . " Leading scorers . " Note : GP = Games played , G = Goals , A = Assists , PTS = Points , PIM = Penalties in minutes " Stanley Cup playoffs . The Montreal Canadiens were favored for a third straight Cup , but injuries to Pit Lepine and Aurel Joliat dashed that dream . With Joliat half throttle and Lepine out , the Canadiens were no match for the speedy Rangers . Toronto broke through Chuck Gardiner ' s goaltending to polish Chicago off , then they beat the Montreal Maroons . Finals . The Toronto Maple Leafs swept the best - of - five series against the New York Rangers three games to none . The first two games were to be played in New York City but because the circus was in town , the second game was played in Boston . The third and final game was played in Toronto . It was called the " Tennis Series " , because the Leafs scored 6 goals in each game . The Rangers scored 4 times in their own building , twice at Boston Garden , and four more in Toronto . Debuts . The following is a list of players of note who played their first NHL game in 1931 - 32 ( listed with their first team , asterisk ( * ) marks debut in playoffs ) : Last games . The following is a list of players of note that played their last game in the NHL in 1931 - 32 ( listed with their last team ) :