Plus/minus compares goals for and goals against while the player is on the ice. Higher means the player's team outscored opponents more with him on the ice. Below are the top 149 NHL playoff players ranked by Playoff Plus Minus for 1971-72.
| # | Player | Team | +/- |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 21 | ||
| 2 | B. OrrBobby Orr 23YD | 20 | |
| 3 | 16 | ||
| 4 | 10 | ||
| 5 | 10 | ||
| 6 | K. HodgeKen Hodge 27YRW | 10 | |
| 7 | 9 | ||
| 8 | 6 | ||
| 9 | J. BucykJohnny Bucyk 36YLW | 6 | |
| 10 | 6 | ||
| 11 | B. ParkBrad Park 22YD | 5 | |
| 12 | 4 | ||
| 13 | 4 | ||
| 14 | 4 | ||
| 15 | 4 | ||
| 16 | 4 | ||
| 17 | 4 | ||
| 18 | J. PappinJim Pappin 31YRW | 4 | |
| 19 | D. GrantDanny Grant 25YLW | 4 | |
| 20 | G. CarrGene Carr 19YC | 3 | |
| 21 | 3 | ||
| 22 | 2 | ||
| 23 | 2 | ||
| 24 | 2 | ||
| 25 | 2 | ||
| 26 | G. DoakGary Doak 25YD | 2 | |
| 27 | B. HullBobby Hull 32YLW | 2 | |
| 28 | 2 | ||
| 29 | 2 | ||
| 30 | 2 | ||
| 31 | T. ReidTom Reid 25YD | 2 | |
| 32 | 2 | ||
| 33 | 2 | ||
| 34 | 2 | ||
| 35 | 1 | ||
| 36 | 1 | ||
| 37 | 1 | ||
| 38 | 1 | ||
| 39 | C. MakiChico Maki 31YRW | 1 | |
| 40 | 1 | ||
| 41 | 1 | ||
| 42 | 1 | ||
| 43 | 1 | ||
| 44 | 1 | ||
| 45 | 1 | ||
| 46 | M. TardifMarc Tardif 22YLW | 1 | |
| 47 | 1 | ||
| 48 | 1 | ||
| 49 | 1 | ||
| 50 | 1 |