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 352 NHL playoff players ranked by Playoff Plus Minus for 1988-89.
| # | Player | Team | +/- |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | M. HoweMark Howe 33YD | 14 | |
| 2 | 13 | ||
| 3 | 12 | ||
| 4 | 12 | ||
| 5 | 11 | ||
| 6 | 10 | ||
| 7 | 10 | ||
| 8 | 9 | ||
| 9 | 9 | ||
| 10 | 9 | ||
| 11 | H. LoobHakan Loob 27YRW | 8 | |
| 12 | J. MullenJoe Mullen 31YRW | 8 | |
| 13 | B. ProppBrian Propp 29YLW | 8 | |
| 14 | 8 | ||
| 15 | 8 | ||
| 16 | 7 | ||
| 17 | 7 | ||
| 18 | 6 | ||
| 19 | 6 | ||
| 20 | 6 | ||
| 21 | 5 | ||
| 22 | 5 | ||
| 23 | 5 | ||
| 24 | 5 | ||
| 25 | 4 | ||
| 26 | M. KeaneMike Keane 21YRW | 4 | |
| 27 | 4 | ||
| 28 | 4 | ||
| 29 | 4 | ||
| 30 | 4 | ||
| 31 | 4 | ||
| 32 | 4 | ||
| 33 | 4 | ||
| 34 | 4 | ||
| 35 | 4 | ||
| 36 | 4 | ||
| 37 | 3 | ||
| 38 | 3 | ||
| 39 | 3 | ||
| 40 | 3 | ||
| 41 | 3 | ||
| 42 | 3 | ||
| 43 | T. LoneyTroy Loney 24YLW | 3 | |
| 44 | 3 | ||
| 45 | 3 | ||
| 46 | 3 | ||
| 47 | 3 | ||
| 48 | 3 | ||
| 49 | 3 | ||
| 50 | 3 |