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 343 NHL playoff players ranked by Playoff Plus Minus for 1985-86.
| # | Player | Team | +/- |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 13 | ||
| 2 | 12 | ||
| 3 | 12 | ||
| 4 | 10 | ||
| 5 | 9 | ||
| 6 | 9 | ||
| 7 | 9 | ||
| 8 | 8 | ||
| 9 | 8 | ||
| 10 | M. ReedsMark Reeds 25YRW | 8 | |
| 11 | B. BrookeBob Brooke 24YRW | 8 | |
| 12 | 8 | ||
| 13 | 7 | ||
| 14 | D. HunterDave Hunter 27YLW | 7 | |
| 15 | 7 | ||
| 16 | M. McpheeMike Mcphee 24YLW | 6 | |
| 17 | C. NilanChris Nilan 27YRW | 6 | |
| 18 | 6 | ||
| 19 | S. GavinStew Gavin 25YRW | 6 | |
| 20 | 6 | ||
| 21 | 6 | ||
| 22 | 6 | ||
| 23 | 6 | ||
| 24 | 5 | ||
| 25 | M. NapierMark Napier 28YRW | 5 | |
| 26 | 5 | ||
| 27 | 5 | ||
| 28 | B. GouldBobby Gould 27YRW | 5 | |
| 29 | 5 | ||
| 30 | 5 | ||
| 31 | 4 | ||
| 32 | 4 | ||
| 33 | 4 | ||
| 34 | 4 | ||
| 35 | 4 | ||
| 36 | D. MaleyDavid Maley 22YLW | 4 | |
| 37 | 4 | ||
| 38 | 4 | ||
| 39 | 3 | ||
| 40 | 3 | ||
| 41 | B. GaineyBob Gainey 31YLW | 3 | |
| 42 | 3 | ||
| 43 | 3 | ||
| 44 | 3 | ||
| 45 | 3 | ||
| 46 | 3 | ||
| 47 | 3 | ||
| 48 | 3 | ||
| 49 | 3 | ||
| 50 | 3 |