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 336 NHL playoff players ranked by Playoff Plus Minus for 1981-82.
| # | Player | Team | +/- |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | G. LaneGord Lane 28YD | 14 | |
| 2 | 11 | ||
| 3 | 10 | ||
| 4 | 9 | ||
| 5 | 9 | ||
| 6 | D. EvansDaryl Evans 20YRW | 9 | |
| 7 | E. KeaEd Kea 33YD | 9 | |
| 8 | 8 | ||
| 9 | 8 | ||
| 10 | 8 | ||
| 11 | 8 | ||
| 12 | 8 | ||
| 13 | M. BossyMike Bossy 24YRW | 7 | |
| 14 | D. RotaDarcy Rota 28YLW | 7 | |
| 15 | 7 | ||
| 16 | 7 | ||
| 17 | 7 | ||
| 18 | J. MullenJoe Mullen 24YRW | 7 | |
| 19 | 6 | ||
| 20 | 6 | ||
| 21 | 6 | ||
| 22 | 6 | ||
| 23 | 6 | ||
| 24 | 5 | ||
| 25 | 5 | ||
| 26 | 5 | ||
| 27 | 5 | ||
| 28 | 5 | ||
| 29 | 5 | ||
| 30 | 5 | ||
| 31 | 5 | ||
| 32 | 4 | ||
| 33 | 4 | ||
| 34 | 4 | ||
| 35 | S. SmylStan Smyl 23YRW | 4 | |
| 36 | 4 | ||
| 37 | 4 | ||
| 38 | 4 | ||
| 39 | 4 | ||
| 40 | 4 | ||
| 41 | 4 | ||
| 42 | M. MurphyMike Murphy 30YRW | 4 | |
| 43 | 4 | ||
| 44 | 4 | ||
| 45 | 3 | ||
| 46 | 3 | ||
| 47 | 3 | ||
| 48 | 3 | ||
| 49 | 3 | ||
| 50 | 3 |