The 1987 Calder Cup Playoffs of the American Hockey League began on April 8, 1987. 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 23, 1987 with the Rochester Americans defeating the Sherbrooke Canadiens four games to three to win the Calder Cup for the fifth time in team history. Rochester's Dave Fenyves won the Jack A. Butterfield Trophy as AHL playoff MVP.
Sherbrooke set an AHL record for goals scored in one playoff with 85. The Cape Breton Oilers tied this record in 1993.
After the 1986–87 AHL regular season, the top four teams from each division qualified for the playoffs. The Sherbrooke Canadiens 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) Sherbrooke Canadiens vs. (4) Nova Scotia Oilers[]
April 10
Sherbrooke Canadiens
6 - 1
Nova Scotia Oilers
April 12
Sherbrooke Canadiens
8 - 5
Nova Scotia Oilers
April 13
Nova Scotia Oilers
2 - 3
OT
Sherbrooke Canadiens
April 15
Nova Scotia Oilers
4 - 3
Sherbrooke Canadiens
April 17
Sherbrooke Canadiens
5 - 4
OT
Nova Scotia Oilers
Sherbrooke won series 4 – 1
(2) Adirondack Red Wings vs. (3) Moncton Golden Flames[]
April 9
Adirondack Red Wings
3 - 4
Moncton Golden Flames
April 11
Adirondack Red Wings
5 - 4
Moncton Golden Flames
April 15
Moncton Golden Flames
1 - 3
Adirondack Red Wings
April 17
Moncton Golden Flames
2 - 1
OT
Adirondack Red Wings
April 19
Adirondack Red Wings
6 - 3
Moncton Golden Flames
April 21
Moncton Golden Flames
3 - 7
Adirondack Red Wings
Adirondack won series 4 - 2
Southern Division[]
(1) Rochester Americans vs. (4) Hershey Bears[]
April 9
Rochester Americans
5 - 2
Hershey Bears
April 11
Rochester Americans
5 - 4
OT
Hershey Bears
April 12
Hershey Bears
3 - 1
Rochester Americans
April 15
Hershey Bears
5 - 6
Rochester Americans
April 17
Rochester Americans
7 - 3
Hershey Bears
Rochester won series 4 - 1
(2) Binghamton Whalers vs. (3) New Haven Nighthawks[]
April 8
Binghamton Whalers
4 - 1
New Haven Nighthawks
April 10
Binghamton Whalers
5 - 4
New Haven Nighthawks
April 11
New Haven Nighthawks
3 - 1
Binghamton Whalers
April 15
New Haven Nighthawks
1 - 2
Binghamton Whalers
April 18
Binghamton Whalers
3 - 4
OT
New Haven Nighthawks
April 19
New Haven Nighthawks
4 - 1
Binghamton Whalers
April 21
Binghamton Whalers
6 - 2
New Haven Nighthawks
Binghamton won series 4 - 3
Division Finals[]
Northern Division[]
(1) Sherbrooke Canadiens vs. (2) Adirondack Red Wings[]
April 25
Sherbrooke Canadiens
3 - 1
Adirondack Red Wings
April 27
Sherbrooke Canadiens
5 - 4
2OT
Adirondack Red Wings
April 29
Adirondack Red Wings
3 - 2
Sherbrooke Canadiens
May 1
Adirondack Red Wings
2 - 7
Sherbrooke Canadiens
May 3
Sherbrooke Canadiens
10 - 4
Adirondack Red Wings
Sherbrooke won series 4 - 1
Southern Division[]
(1) Rochester Americans vs. (2) Binghamton Whalers[]
April 23
Rochester Americans
2 - 0
Binghamton Whalers
April 24
Binghamton Whalers
1 - 4
Rochester Americans
April 26
Rochester Americans
2 - 5
Binghamton Whalers
April 27
Binghamton Whalers
1 - 6
Rochester Americans
April 29
Rochester Americans
2 - 3
OT
Binghamton Whalers
May 2
Rochester Americans
4 - 2
Binghamton Whalers
Rochester won series 4 - 2
Calder Cup Final[]
(N1) Sherbrooke Canadiens vs. (S1) Rochester Americans[]