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 229 NHL playoff players ranked by Playoff Plus Minus for 1978-79.
| # | Player | Team | +/- |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 17 | ||
| 2 | 16 | ||
| 3 | 11 | ||
| 4 | 9 | ||
| 5 | 8 | ||
| 6 | 8 | ||
| 7 | 8 | ||
| 8 | 8 | ||
| 9 | 8 | ||
| 10 | 7 | ||
| 11 | S. ShuttSteve Shutt 26YLW | 7 | |
| 12 | 7 | ||
| 13 | 6 | ||
| 14 | 6 | ||
| 15 | 6 | ||
| 16 | 6 | ||
| 17 | 5 | ||
| 18 | 5 | ||
| 19 | 5 | ||
| 20 | M. BossyMike Bossy 21YRW | 5 | |
| 21 | 5 | ||
| 22 | 4 | ||
| 23 | 4 | ||
| 24 | 4 | ||
| 25 | 4 | ||
| 26 | B. GaineyBob Gainey 24YLW | 4 | |
| 27 | 4 | ||
| 28 | 4 | ||
| 29 | 4 | ||
| 30 | 4 | ||
| 31 | 3 | ||
| 32 | 3 | ||
| 33 | 3 | ||
| 34 | 3 | ||
| 35 | B. ParkBrad Park 29YD | 3 | |
| 36 | A. SimsAl Sims 25YD | 3 | |
| 37 | 3 | ||
| 38 | 3 | ||
| 39 | R. HouleRejean Houle 28YLW | 3 | |
| 40 | 3 | ||
| 41 | 3 | ||
| 42 | 3 | ||
| 43 | 3 | ||
| 44 | 2 | ||
| 45 | 2 | ||
| 46 | M. NapierMark Napier 21YRW | 2 | |
| 47 | 2 | ||
| 48 | 2 | ||
| 49 | 2 | ||
| 50 | 2 |