The 1988 Calder Cup Playoffs of the American Hockey League began on April 6, 1988. 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 12, 1988 with the Hershey Bears defeating the Fredericton Express four games to zero to win the Calder Cup for the seventh time in team history. Hershey went an unprecedented 12-0 during their Calder Cup run, which also set an AHL record for most consecutive games won in one playoff. Hershey's Wendell Young won the Jack A. Butterfield Trophy as AHL playoff MVP.
After the 1987–88 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) Maine Mariners vs. (4) Nova Scotia Oilers[]
April 7
Maine Mariners
5 - 4
OT
Nova Scotia Oilers
April 11
Maine Mariners
6 - 5
OT
Nova Scotia Oilers
April 13
Nova Scotia Oilers
7 - 4
Maine Mariners
April 15
Nova Scotia Oilers
1 - 4
Maine Mariners
April 16
Maine Mariners
3 - 1
Nova Scotia Oilers
Maine won series 4 – 1
(2) Fredericton Express vs. (3) Sherbrooke Canadiens[]
April 8
Fredericton Express
4 - 3
OT
Sherbrooke Canadiens
April 9
Fredericton Express
3 - 2
Sherbrooke Canadiens
April 11
Sherbrooke Canadiens
2 - 1
OT
Fredericton Express
April 13
Sherbrooke Canadiens
4 - 3
Fredericton Express
April 16
Fredericton Express
7 - 1
Sherbrooke Canadiens
April 19
Sherbrooke Canadiens
3 - 4
Fredericton Express
Fredericton won series 4 - 2
Southern Division[]
(1) Hershey Bears vs. (4) Binghamton Whalers[]
April 6
Hershey Bears
3 - 2
OT
Binghamton Whalers
April 8
Binghamton Whalers
1 - 4
Hershey Bears
April 9
Hershey Bears
4 - 3
OT
Binghamton Whalers
April 11
Binghamton Whalers
5 - 8
Hershey Bears
Hershey won series 4 - 0
(2) Rochester Americans vs. (3) Adirondack Red Wings[]