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.[5]
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.[6]
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