The 1974 Calder Cup Playoffs of the American Hockey League began on April 3, 1974. The eight teams that qualified played best-of-7 series for Division Semifinals and Finals. The division champions played a best-of-7 series for the Calder Cup. The Calder Cup Final ended on May 8, 1974 with the Hershey Bears defeating the Providence Reds four games to one to win the Calder Cup for the fifth time in team history.
Richmond and Baltimore tied the AHL playoff record for highest scoring shutout in game 2 of their Southern division semifinal, which Richmond won 10-0.
After the 1973–74 AHL regular season, the top three teams from each division qualified for the playoffs. The Rochester Americans finished the regular season with the best overall record.
In each round, the team that earned more points during the regular season receives home ice advantage, meaning they receive the "extra" game on home-ice if the series reaches the maximum number of games. There is no set series format due to arena scheduling conflicts and travel considerations.
Division Semifinals[]
Note: Home team is listed first.
Northern Division[]
(1) Rochester Americans vs. (4) New Haven Nighthawks[]
April 3
Rochester Americans
4 - 3
OT
New Haven Nighthawks
April 5
Rochester Americans
2 - 1
New Haven Nighthawks
April 10
New Haven Nighthawks
5 - 2
Rochester Americans
April 13
New Haven Nighthawks
5 - 4
Rochester Americans
April 14
Rochester Americans
1 - 5
New Haven Nighthawks
April 16
New Haven Nighthawks
6 - 3
Rochester Americans
New Haven won series 4 – 2
(2) Providence Reds vs. (3) Nova Scotia Voyageurs[]
April 5
Providence Reds
6 - 4
Nova Scotia Voyageurs
April 7
Providence Reds
4 - 1
Nova Scotia Voyageurs
April 9
Nova Scotia Voyageurs
1 - 4
Providence Reds
April 12
Nova Scotia Voyageurs
7 - 6
OT
Providence Reds
April 15
Nova Scotia Voyageurs
4 - 1
Providence Reds
April 17
Nova Scotia Voyageurs
8 - 0
Providence Reds
Providence won series 4 - 2
Southern Division[]
(1) Baltimore Clippers vs. (4) Richmond Robins[]
April 5
Baltimore Clippers
5 - 2
Richmond Robins
April 6
Richmond Robins
10 - 0
Baltimore Clippers
April 9
Baltimore Clippers
4 - 2
Richmond Robins
April 10
Richmond Robins
5 - 6
OT
Baltimore Clippers
April 12
Baltimore Clippers
7 - 6
OT
Richmond Robins
Baltimore won series 4 - 1
(2) Hershey Bears vs. (3) Cincinnati Swords[]
April 3
Cincinnati Swords
5 - 6
OT
Hershey Bears
April 5
Cincinnati Swords
6 - 2
Hershey Bears
April 9
Hershey Bears
1 - 0
Cincinnati Swords
April 11
Hershey Bears
4 - 2
Cincinnati Swords
April 13
Hershey Bears
4 - 2
Cincinnati Swords
Hershey won series 4 - 1
Division Finals[]
Northern Division[]
(2) Providence Reds vs. (4) New Haven Nighthawks[]