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 316 NHL playoff players ranked by Playoff Plus Minus for 1979-80.
| # | Player | Team | +/- |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 21 | ||
| 2 | 17 | ||
| 3 | 16 | ||
| 4 | 15 | ||
| 5 | 13 | ||
| 6 | 12 | ||
| 7 | B. ProppBrian Propp 20YLW | 12 | |
| 8 | 10 | ||
| 9 | B. BarberBill Barber 26YLW | 10 | |
| 10 | 10 | ||
| 11 | 9 | ||
| 12 | 9 | ||
| 13 | 8 | ||
| 14 | 8 | ||
| 15 | 8 | ||
| 16 | 8 | ||
| 17 | R. LeachReggie Leach 29YRW | 8 | |
| 18 | 8 | ||
| 19 | 7 | ||
| 20 | 7 | ||
| 21 | 7 | ||
| 22 | 7 | ||
| 23 | 6 | ||
| 24 | 6 | ||
| 25 | 6 | ||
| 26 | 6 | ||
| 27 | 6 | ||
| 28 | 6 | ||
| 29 | 6 | ||
| 30 | 5 | ||
| 31 | 5 | ||
| 32 | 5 | ||
| 33 | 5 | ||
| 34 | A. SecordAl Secord 21YLW | 5 | |
| 35 | 5 | ||
| 36 | 4 | ||
| 37 | R. HouleRejean Houle 29YLW | 4 | |
| 38 | 4 | ||
| 39 | 4 | ||
| 40 | 3 | ||
| 41 | A. HillAl Hill 24YLW | 3 | |
| 42 | B. HajtBill Hajt 27YD | 3 | |
| 43 | 3 | ||
| 44 | 3 | ||
| 45 | 3 | ||
| 46 | N. DupontNorm Dupont 22YLW | 3 | |
| 47 | 3 | ||
| 48 | 3 | ||
| 49 | 3 | ||
| 50 | E. VailEric Vail 25YLW | 3 |