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 322 NHL playoff players ranked by Playoff Plus Minus for 1980-81.
| # | Player | Team | +/- |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 20 | ||
| 2 | 18 | ||
| 3 | 18 | ||
| 4 | M. BossyMike Bossy 23YRW | 14 | |
| 5 | 14 | ||
| 6 | 12 | ||
| 7 | J. KurriJari Kurri 20YRW | 12 | |
| 8 | 10 | ||
| 9 | G. LaneGord Lane 27YD | 10 | |
| 10 | 10 | ||
| 11 | 10 | ||
| 12 | 10 | ||
| 13 | 9 | ||
| 14 | 9 | ||
| 15 | 9 | ||
| 16 | 9 | ||
| 17 | 8 | ||
| 18 | 7 | ||
| 19 | 7 | ||
| 20 | B. BarberBill Barber 27YLW | 7 | |
| 21 | 7 | ||
| 22 | 7 | ||
| 23 | 7 | ||
| 24 | 6 | ||
| 25 | 6 | ||
| 26 | 6 | ||
| 27 | B. ProppBrian Propp 21YLW | 6 | |
| 28 | 6 | ||
| 29 | 6 | ||
| 30 | 5 | ||
| 31 | 5 | ||
| 32 | 5 | ||
| 33 | 5 | ||
| 34 | 5 | ||
| 35 | 5 | ||
| 36 | 5 | ||
| 37 | 5 | ||
| 38 | 4 | ||
| 39 | 4 | ||
| 40 | 4 | ||
| 41 | 4 | ||
| 42 | 4 | ||
| 43 | 4 | ||
| 44 | 4 | ||
| 45 | A. MacAdamAl MacAdam 28YRW | 3 | |
| 46 | 3 | ||
| 47 | 3 | ||
| 48 | 3 | ||
| 49 | 3 | ||
| 50 | 3 |