The 1986 Calder Cup Playoffs of the American Hockey League began on April 9, 1986. 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 21, 1986 with the Adirondack Red Wings defeating the Hershey Bears four games to two to win the Calder Cup for the second time in team history.Hershey's Tim Tookey won the Jack A. Butterfield Trophy as AHL playoff MVP, becoming the first player from the losing finalist to win the award.
After the 1985–86 AHL regular season, the top four teams from each division qualified for the playoffs. The Hershey Bears 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) Adirondack Red Wings vs. (4) Fredericton Express[]
April 10
Adirondack Red Wings
5 - 4
Fredericton Express
April 12
Adirondack Red Wings
1 - 4
Fredericton Express
April 14
Fredericton Express
4 - 5
Adirondack Red Wings
April 16
Fredericton Express
9 - 6
Adirondack Red Wings
April 18
Adirondack Red Wings
9 - 3
Fredericton Express
April 20
Fredericton Express
4 - 5
2OT
Adirondack Red Wings
Adirondack won series 4 – 2
(2) Maine Mariners vs. (3) Moncton Golden Flames[]
April 10
Maine Mariners
3 - 2
Moncton Golden Flames
April 13
Maine Mariners
2 - 3
Moncton Golden Flames
April 14
Moncton Golden Flames
2 - 1
Maine Mariners
April 18
Moncton Golden Flames
4 - 3
3OT
Maine Mariners
April 19
Maine Mariners
2 - 3
Moncton Golden Flames
Moncton won series 4 - 1
Southern Division[]
(1) Hershey Bears vs. (4) New Haven Nighthawks[]
April 9
Hershey Bears
3 - 4
2OT
New Haven Nighthawks
April 12
Hershey Bears
6 - 0
New Haven Nighthawks
April 13
New Haven Nighthawks
3 - 4
Hershey Bears
April 15
New Haven Nighthawks
4 - 5
Hershey Bears
April 16
Hershey Bears
5 - 4
New Haven Nighthawks
Hershey won series 4 - 1
(2) Binghamton Whalers vs. (3) St. Catharines Saints[]
April 9
Binghamton Whalers
5 - 1
St. Catharines Saints
April 11
Binghamton Whalers
1 - 4
St. Catharines Saints
April 13
St. Catharines Saints
3 - 5
Binghamton Whalers
April 15
St. Catharines Saints
4 - 3
Binghamton Whalers
April 16
Binghamton Whalers
3 - 4
St. Catharines Saints
April 18
St. Catharines Saints
7 - 3
Binghamton Whalers
St. Catharines won series 4 - 2
Division Finals[]
Northern Division[]
(1) Adirondack Red Wings vs. (3) Moncton Golden Flames[]