Once again in the 1985–86 season Sutter failed to play a complete season, suiting up for 50 games once again due to injuries while scoring 17 goals and 10 assists. Sutter sat out the pre-season with a knee injury and separated his shoulder in the November 14 game against the Quebec Nordiques. The Black Hawks finished the season 39–33–8 and fell to the Toronto Maple Leafs in a three game sweep in the first round of the 1986 Stanley Cup playoffs.