In the 1981–82 season Sutter played 40 games scoring 23 goals and 12 assists. His season was shortened due to nagging injuries, however Sutter headed into the playoffs healthy. The Black Hawks defeated the Minnesota North Stars three games to one and St. Louis Blues four games to two until losing to the Vancouver Canucks in five games. Sutter's playoffs ended prematurely when he tripped on a coin tossed on the ice during game three of the North Stars series, suffering a separated shoulder and requiring surgery.