| Calder Cup playoffs | |
| Year: | 1980 |
| Dates: | April 8 – May 17, 1980 |
| Num Teams: | 8 |
| Second: | New Brunswick Hawks |
| Prev Season: | 1979 |
| Next Season: | 1981 |
The 1980 Calder Cup playoffs of the American Hockey League began on April 8, 1980.[1] The playoff format was expanded from six to eight teams. The eight teams that qualified played best-of-seven series for Division Semifinals and Division Finals. The division champions played a best-of-seven series for the Calder Cup. The Calder Cup Final ended on May 17, 1980, with the Hershey Bears defeating the New Brunswick Hawks four games to two to win the Calder Cup for the sixth time in team history.[2]
After the 1979–80 AHL regular season, the top four teams from each division qualified for the playoffs. The New Haven Nighthawks finished the regular season with the best overall record.[3]
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.[4]
Note 1: Home team is listed first.
Note 2: The number of overtime periods played (where applicable) is not indicated