The 1985 Calder Cup Playoffs of the American Hockey League began on April 10, 1985. The eight teams that qualified, four from each division, played best-of-7 series for Division Semifinals and Division Finals. The division champions played a best-of-7 series for the Calder Cup. The Calder Cup Final ended on May 24, 1985 with the Sherbrooke Canadiens defeating the Baltimore Skipjacks four games to two to win the Calder Cup for the only time in team history. Sherbrooke's Brian Skrudland won the Jack A. Butterfield Trophy as AHL playoff MVP.
The Maine Mariners set an AHL playoff record during the Northern division final against Sherbrooke by scoring three goals 23 seconds apart. Maine scored at 19:29, 19:42, and 19:52 of the second period in the game, thereby setting a new AHL playoff record for the three fastest goals scored.
After the 1984–85 AHL regular season, the top four teams from each division qualified for the playoffs. The Binghamton Whalers 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) Maine Mariners vs. (4) Nova Scotia Oilers[]
April 11
Maine Mariners
3 - 4
4OT
Nova Scotia Oilers
April 14
Maine Mariners
5 - 3
Nova Scotia Oilers
April 17
Nova Scotia Oilers
5 - 6
OT
Maine Mariners
April 19
Nova Scotia Oilers
4 - 3
Maine Mariners
April 20
Maine Mariners
5 - 4
Nova Scotia Oilers
April 22
Nova Scotia Oilers
3 - 4
Maine Mariners
Maine won series 4 – 2
(2) Fredericton Express vs. (3) Sherbrooke Canadiens[]
April 11
Fredericton Express
2 - 5
Sherbrooke Canadiens
April 12
Fredericton Express
2 - 3
Sherbrooke Canadiens
April 15
Sherbrooke Canadiens
2 - 6
Fredericton Express
April 17
Sherbrooke Canadiens
5 - 4
Fredericton Express
April 20
Fredericton Express
3 - 1
Sherbrooke Canadiens
April 22
Sherbrooke Canadiens
4 - 3
OT
Fredericton Express
Sherbrooke won series 4 - 2
Southern Division[]
(1) Binghamton Whalers vs. (4) Springfield Indians[]
April 10
Binghamton Whalers
4 - 2
Springfield Indians
April 12
Binghamton Whalers
9 - 5
Springfield Indians
April 13
Springfield Indians
1 - 6
Binghamton Whalers
April 16
Springfield Indians
5 - 7
Binghamton Whalers
Binghamton won series 4 - 0
(2) Baltimore Skipjacks vs. (3) Rochester Americans[]
April 11
Baltimore Skipjacks
2 - 3
OT
Rochester Americans
April 13
Baltimore Skipjacks
6 - 5
Rochester Americans
April 14
Rochester Americans
5 - 8
Baltimore Skipjacks
April 17
Rochester Americans
5 - 6
2OT
Baltimore Skipjacks
April 20
Baltimore Skipjacks
6 - 1
Rochester Americans
Baltimore won series 4 - 1
Division Finals[]
Northern Division[]
(1) Maine Mariners vs. (3) Sherbrooke Canadiens[]
May 1
Maine Mariners
5 - 2
Sherbrooke Canadiens
May 3
Sherbrooke Canadiens
9 - 2
Maine Mariners
May 4
Maine Mariners
3 - 7
Sherbrooke Canadiens
May 6
Sherbrooke Canadiens
7 - 2
Maine Mariners
May 8
Maine Mariners
5 - 6
2OT
Sherbrooke Canadiens
Sherbrooke won series 4 - 1
Southern Division[]
(1) Binghamton Whalers vs. (2) Baltimore Skipjacks[]