The Eastern Canada Hockey Association became the Canadian Hockey Association in 1910 in order to freeze out the Montreal Wanderers. The Wanderers then helped to form the NHA, which introduced the Montreal Canadiens, who would eventually become hockey's most prolific champions.
Concerned by the number of "ringers" imported by Cup contestants, the trustees ruled that only players who had skated with their teams during the regular-season could be eligible for the Stanley Cup competition.
The Ottawa Senators were still members of the CHA when the 1910 season began. As holders of the Stanley Cup they defended the trophy against Galt, the 1909 champions of the Ontario Professional Hockey League (OPHL). Marty Walsh scored six goals in the first game en route to a sweep over the challengers.
The Senators had abandoned the CHA for the NHA when they took time out from the regular-season schedule for another Stanley Cup challenge. Edmonton had come east again for what was expected to be a close series, but Ottawa was too strong. The two-game set saw the Senators' Bruce Stuart and Gordie Roberts score seven goals apiece, while Fred Whitcroft notched five for Edmonton.
1909-10 - Ottawa Senators - Albert (Dubbie) Kerr, Fred Lake, Percy Lesueur, Ken Mallen, Bruce Ridpath, Gordie Roberts, Hamby Shore, Bruce Stuart, Marty Walsh.
SCORES
| Jan. 5 | Galt | 3 | at Ott. Senators | 12 |
| Jan. 7 | Galt | 1 | at Ott. Senators | 3 |
| Jan. 18 | Edmonton | 4 | at Ott. Senators | 8 |
| Jan. 20 | Edmonton | 7 | at Ott. Senators | 13 |