With the merger of the PCHA and WCHL in 1925 and its collapse in 1926, the NHL took sole control of the Stanley Cup, and from this point the NHL playoffs and the Stanley Cup playoffs are considered synonymous.
The NHL took sole control of the Stanley Cup. This was with the merger of the PCHA and WCHL in 1925. This was with its collapse in 1926. The NHL playoffs are considered synonymous. The Stanley Cup playoffs are considered synonymous. This was with the merger of the PCHA and WCHL in 1925. This was from this point. This was with its collapse in 1926. This was from this point.