The 1996–97 Tampa Bay Lightning season was the Lightning's fifth season of operation. The Lightning were unable to qualify for the playoffs despite making their first playoff appearance the previous year and losing to the

Philadelphia Flyers The Philadelphia Flyers are a professional ice hockey team based in Philadelphia. The Flyers compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference. The team plays its home games in Wells ...

in the first round.

Regular season

Final standings

Schedule and results

, - align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" , 1, , W, , October 5, 1996, , 4–3 OT, , align="left", @

Pittsburgh Penguins The Pittsburgh Penguins (colloquially known as the Pens) are a professional ice hockey team based in Pittsburgh. They compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division of the Eastern Conference, and have playe ...

( 1996–97) , , 1–0–0 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB" , 2, , L, , October 11, 1996, , 2–6 , , align="left", @

Washington Capitals The Washington Capitals (colloquially known as the Caps) are a professional ice hockey team based in Washington, D.C. The team competes in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference (NHL) ...

( 1996–97) , , 1–1–0 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" , 3, , W, , October 12, 1996, , 7–4 , , align="left", @

Toronto Maple Leafs The Toronto Maple Leafs (officially the Toronto Maple Leaf Hockey Club and often referred to as the Leafs) are a professional ice hockey team based in Toronto. They compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic Div ...

( 1996–97) , , 2–1–0 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" , 4, , W, , October 15, 1996, , 4–0 , , align="left", @

Buffalo Sabres The Buffalo Sabres are a professional ice hockey team based in Buffalo, New York. The Sabres compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic Division in the Eastern Conference. The team was established in 1970, along w ...

( 1996–97) , , 3–1–0 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" , 5, , W, , October 20, 1996, , 5–2 , , align="left",

New York Rangers The New York Rangers are a professional ice hockey team based in the New York City borough of Manhattan. They compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference. The team plays its home ...

( 1996–97) , , 4–1–0 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" , 6, , W, , October 22, 1996, , 6–3 , , align="left", @

New York Islanders The New York Islanders (colloquially known as the Isles) are a professional ice hockey team based in Elmont, New York. The Islanders compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference ( ...

( 1996–97) , , 5–1–0 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB" , 7, , L, , October 24, 1996, , 2–5 , , align="left",

Ottawa Senators The Ottawa Senators (french: Sénateurs d'Ottawa), officially the Ottawa Senators Hockey Club and colloquially known as the Sens, are a professional ice hockey team based in Ottawa. They compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a membe ...

( 1996–97) , , 5–2–0 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB" , 8, , L, , October 26, 1996, , 1–4 , , align="left",

New Jersey Devils The New Jersey Devils are a professional sports, professional ice hockey team based in Newark, New Jersey. The Devils compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference (NHL), Eastern ...

( 1996–97) , , 5–3–0 , , , - align="center" , 9, , T, , October 29, 1996, , 2–2 OT, , align="left",

Chicago Blackhawks The Chicago Blackhawks (spelled Black Hawks until 1986, and known colloquially as the Hawks) are a professional ice hockey team based in Chicago. The Blackhawks compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Central Division i ...

( 1996–97) , , 5–3–1 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB" , 10, , L, , October 31, 1996, , 3–4 , , align="left",

( 1996–97) , , 5–4–1 , , , - , - align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB" , 11, , L, , November 2, 1996, , 1–2 , , align="left", @

( 1996–97) , , 5–5–1 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" , 12, , W, , November 4, 1996, , 5–3 , , align="left", @

( 1996–97) , , 6–5–1 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB" , 13, , L, , November 6, 1996, , 1–2 , , align="left",

( 1996–97) , , 6–6–1 , , , - align="center" , 14, , T, , November 8, 1996, , 5–5 OT, , align="left",

( 1996–97) , , 6–6–2 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB" , 15, , L, , November 10, 1996, , 2–4 , , align="left", @

Detroit Red Wings The Detroit Red Wings (colloquially referred to as the Wings) are a professional ice hockey team based in Detroit. The Red Wings compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic Division (NHL), Atlantic Division in the East ...

( 1996–97) , , 6–7–2 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB" , 16, , L, , November 14, 1996, , 3–5 , , align="left", @

St. Louis Blues The St. Louis Blues are a professional ice hockey team based in St. Louis. The Blues compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Central Division in the Western Conference. The franchise was founded in 1967 as one of the s ...

( 1996–97) , , 6–8–2 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB" , 17, , L, , November 16, 1996, , 3–6 , , align="left", @

( 1996–97) , , 6–9–2 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" , 18, , W, , November 19, 1996, , 3–0 , , align="left",

Los Angeles Kings The Los Angeles Kings are a professional ice hockey team based in Los Angeles. The team competes in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Pacific Division in the Western Conference and was founded on June 5, 1967, after Jack Kent ...

( 1996–97) , , 7–9–2 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB" , 19, , L, , November 23, 1996, , 1–2 , , align="left",

( 1996–97) , , 7–10–2 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB" , 20, , L, , November 25, 1996, , 2–4 , , align="left", @

Montreal Canadiens The Montreal CanadiensEven in English, the French spelling is always used instead of ''Canadians''. The French spelling of ''Montréal'' is also sometimes used in the English media. (french: link=no, Les Canadiens de Montréal), officially ...

( 1996–97) , , 7–11–2 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB" , 21, , L, , November 27, 1996, , 0–3 , , align="left",

( 1996–97) , , 7–12–2 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB" , 22, , L, , November 29, 1996, , 1–2 , , align="left",

Dallas Stars The Dallas Stars are a professional ice hockey team based in Dallas. They compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Central Division (NHL), Central Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Conference, and were founde ...

( 1996–97) , , 7–13–2 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB" , 23, , L, , November 30, 1996, , 3–6 , , align="left",

Hartford Whalers The Hartford Whalers were a professional ice hockey team based for most of its existence in Hartford, Connecticut. The club played in the World Hockey Association (WHA) from 1972 until 1979, and in the National Hockey League (NHL) from 1979 to ...

( 1996–97) , , 7–14–2 , , , - , - align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB" , 24, , L, , December 4, 1996, , 1–3 , , align="left", @

Mighty Ducks of Anaheim Mighty may refer to: * ''Mighty'' (The Planet Smashers album) * ''Mighty'' (Kristene DiMarco album) * ''The Mighty'' (1929 film), a 1929 American action film *''The Mighty'', a 1998 comedy-drama film * ''The Mighty'' (comics), a DC Comics title *Th ...

( 1996–97) , , 7–15–2 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" , 25, , W, , December 5, 1996, , 2–1 , , align="left", @

( 1996–97) , , 8–15–2 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" , 26, , W, , December 7, 1996, , 4–3 , , align="left", @

San Jose Sharks The San Jose Sharks are a professional ice hockey team based in San Jose, California. They compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Pacific Division in the Western Conference, and are owned by San Jose Sports & Entertainm ...

( 1996–97) , , 9–15–2 , , , - align="center" , 27, , T, , December 12, 1996, , 2–2 OT, , align="left",

Edmonton Oilers The Edmonton Oilers are a professional ice hockey team based in Edmonton. The Oilers compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference. They play their home games at Rogers Place, which ...

( 1996–97) , , 9–15–3 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" , 28, , W, , December 14, 1996, , 4–1 , , align="left",

( 1996–97) , , 10–15–3 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" , 29, , W, , December 16, 1996, , 4–2 , , align="left", @

( 1996–97) , , 11–15–3 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB" , 30, , L, , December 18, 1996, , 3–5 , , align="left", @

( 1996–97) , , 11–16–3 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB" , 31, , L, , December 19, 1996, , 0–3 , , align="left", @

Boston Bruins The Boston Bruins are a professional ice hockey team based in Boston. The Bruins compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic Division in the Eastern Conference. The team has been in existence since 1924, making t ...

( 1996–97) , , 11–17–3 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB" , 32, , L, , December 21, 1996, , 5–6 OT, , align="left", @

( 1996–97) , , 11–18–3 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB" , 33, , L, , December 23, 1996, , 1–3 , , align="left",

( 1996–97) , , 11–19–3 , , , - align="center" , 34, , T, , December 26, 1996, , 3–3 OT, , align="left",

Florida Panthers The Florida Panthers are a professional ice hockey team based in the Miami metropolitan area. They compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic Division (NHL), Atlantic Division in the Eastern Conference (NHL), Eastern ...

( 1996–97) , , 11–19–4 , , , - align="center" , 35, , T, , December 28, 1996, , 4–4 OT, , align="left",

( 1996–97) , , 11–19–5 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" , 36, , W, , December 31, 1996, , 4–2 , , align="left",

( 1996–97) , , 12–19–5 , , , - , - align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" , 37, , W, , January 3, 1997, , 3–2 , , align="left",

( 1996–97) , , 13–19–5 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB" , 38, , L, , January 4, 1997, , 3–7 , , align="left", @

( 1996–97) , , 13–20–5 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" , 39, , W, , January 6, 1997, , 4–3 , , align="left", @

( 1996–97) , , 14–20–5 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" , 40, , W, , January 8, 1997, , 4–3 , , align="left", @

( 1996–97) , , 15–20–5 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" , 41, , W, , January 9, 1997, , 3–1 , , align="left", @

( 1996–97) , , 16–20–5 , , , - align="center" , 42, , T, , January 11, 1997, , 4–4 OT, , align="left",

( 1996–97) , , 16–20–6 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" , 43, , W, , January 13, 1997, , 2–0 , , align="left", @

( 1996–97) , , 17–20–6 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB" , 44, , L, , January 15, 1997, , 2–4 , , align="left", @

Colorado Avalanche The Colorado Avalanche (colloquially known as the Avs) are a professional ice hockey team based in Denver. They compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Central Division in the Western Conference. The Avalanche play thei ...

( 1996–97) , , 17–21–6 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" , 45, , W, , January 21, 1997, , 3–2 OT, , align="left",

( 1996–97) , , 18–21–6 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB" , 46, , L, , January 25, 1997, , 2–3 , , align="left", @

( 1996–97) , , 18–22–6 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB" , 47, , L, , January 27, 1997, , 3–5 , , align="left", @

( 1996–97) , , 18–23–6 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB" , 48, , L, , January 30, 1997, , 1–4 , , align="left",

( 1996–97) , , 18–24–6 , , , - , - align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB" , 49, , L, , February 1, 1997, , 0–3 , , align="left",

( 1996–97) , , 18–25–6 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" , 50, , W, , February 4, 1997, , 2–0 , , align="left", @

Phoenix Coyotes The Arizona Coyotes are a professional ice hockey team based in the Phoenix metropolitan area. The Coyotes compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Central Division in the Western Conference and currently play at the Mull ...

( 1996–97) , , 19–25–6 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB" , 51, , L, , February 5, 1997, , 0–4 , , align="left", @

( 1996–97) , , 19–26–6 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB" , 52, , L, , February 8, 1997, , 1–3 , , align="left",

( 1996–97) , , 19–27–6 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB" , 53, , L, , February 12, 1997, , 2–5 , , align="left", @

( 1996–97) , , 19–28–6 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB" , 54, , L, , February 14, 1997, , 4–5 OT, , align="left", @

( 1996–97) , , 19–29–6 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" , 55, , W, , February 15, 1997, , 4–1 , , align="left",

( 1996–97) , , 20–29–6 , , , - align="center" , 56, , T, , February 17, 1997, , 3–3 OT, , align="left",

( 1996–97) , , 20–29–7 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" , 57, , W, , February 20, 1997, , 5–2 , , align="left",

( 1996–97) , , 21–29–7 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" , 58, , W, , February 22, 1997, , 3–1 , , align="left",

( 1996–97) , , 22–29–7 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" , 59, , W, , February 23, 1997, , 4–3 , , align="left",

( 1996–97) , , 23–29–7 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" , 60, , W, , February 25, 1997, , 3–2 , , align="left",

( 1996–97) , , 24–29–7 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB" , 61, , L, , February 27, 1997, , 2–6 , , align="left", @

( 1996–97) , , 24–30–7 , , , - , - align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" , 62, , W, , March 1, 1997, , 2–0 , , align="left",

( 1996–97) , , 25–30–7 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" , 63, , W, , March 4, 1997, , 6–3 , , align="left", @

( 1996–97) , , 26–30–7 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB" , 64, , L, , March 6, 1997, , 0–5 , , align="left",

( 1996–97) , , 26–31–7 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB" , 65, , L, , March 8, 1997, , 4–6 , , align="left",

( 1996–97) , , 26–32–7 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" , 66, , W, , March 9, 1997, , 2–1 OT, , align="left",

Calgary Flames The Calgary Flames are a professional ice hockey team based in Calgary. The Flames compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Pacific Division (NHL), Pacific Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Conference, and ...

( 1996–97) , , 27–32–7 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB" , 67, , L, , March 13, 1997, , 0–3 , , align="left",

( 1996–97) , , 27–33–7 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB" , 68, , L, , March 15, 1997, , 2–5 , , align="left",

Vancouver Canucks The Vancouver Canucks are a professional ice hockey team based in Vancouver. They compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference, and play their home games at Rogers Arena. Bruce B ...

( 1996–97) , , 27–34–7 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB" , 69, , L, , March 16, 1997, , 1–3 , , align="left",

( 1996–97) , , 27–35–7 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB" , 70, , L, , March 19, 1997, , 1–3 , , align="left", @

( 1996–97) , , 27–36–7 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" , 71, , W, , March 21, 1997, , 4–3 OT, , align="left", @

( 1996–97) , , 28–36–7 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB" , 72, , L, , March 22, 1997, , 2–3 , , align="left", @

( 1996–97) , , 28–37–7 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" , 73, , W, , March 25, 1997, , 5–0 , , align="left",

( 1996–97) , , 29–37–7 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB" , 74, , L, , March 27, 1997, , 2–5 , , align="left",

( 1996–97) , , 29–38–7 , , , - align="center" , 75, , T, , March 29, 1997, , 1–1 OT, , align="left", @

( 1996–97) , , 29–38–8 , , , - , - align="center" , 76, , T, , April 1, 1997, , 1–1 OT, , align="left", @

( 1996–97) , , 29–38–9 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB" , 77, , L, , April 4, 1997, , 0–3 , , align="left", @

( 1996–97) , , 29–39–9 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" , 78, , W, , April 5, 1997, , 3–2 , , align="left", @

( 1996–97) , , 30–39–9 , , , - align="center" , 79, , T, , April 8, 1997, , 2–2 OT, , align="left",

( 1996–97) , , 30–39–10 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" , 80, , W, , April 10, 1997, , 4–3 , , align="left",

( 1996–97) , , 31–39–10 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" , 81, , W, , April 11, 1997, , 4–2 , , align="left", @

( 1996–97) , , 32–39–10 , , , - align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB" , 82, , L, , April 13, 1997, , 1–2 , , align="left", @

( 1996–97) , , 32–40–10 , , , - , - , ''Legend'':

Player statistics

Scoring

* ''Position abbreviations: C =

Center Center or centre may refer to: Mathematics *Center (geometry), the middle of an object * Center (algebra), used in various contexts ** Center (group theory) ** Center (ring theory) * Graph center, the set of all vertices of minimum eccentricity ...

; D =

Defense Defense or defence may refer to: Tactical, martial, and political acts or groups * Defense (military), forces primarily intended for warfare * Civil defense, the organizing of civilians to deal with emergencies or enemy attacks * Defense industr ...

; G =

Goaltender In ice hockey, the goaltender (commonly referred to as the goalie) is the player responsible for preventing the hockey puck from entering their team's net, thus preventing the opposing team from scoring. The goaltender mostly plays in or near t ...

; LW =

Left wing Left-wing politics describes the range of political ideologies that support and seek to achieve social equality and egalitarianism, often in opposition to social hierarchy. Left-wing politics typically involve a concern for those in soci ...

; RW =

Right wing Right-wing politics describes the range of political ideologies that view certain social orders and hierarchies as inevitable, natural, normal, or desirable, typically supporting this position on the basis of natural law, economics, authori ...

'' * '' = Joined team via a transaction (e.g., trade, waivers, signing) during the season. Stats reflect time with the Lightning only.'' * '' = Left team via a transaction (e.g., trade, waivers, release) during the season. Stats reflect time with the Lightning only.''

Goaltending

* '' = Joined team via a transaction (e.g., trade, waivers, signing) during the season. Stats reflect time with the Lightning only.''

Awards and records

Awards

Draft picks

Tampa Bay's draft picks at the

1996 NHL Entry Draft The 1996 NHL Entry Draft was the 34th NHL Entry Draft. It was held at the Kiel Center in St. Louis, Missouri, on June 22, 1996. The last active player in the NHL from this draft class was Zdeno Chára, who retired after the 2021–22 season. ...

held at the

Kiel Center Kiel () is the capital and most populous city in the northern German state of Schleswig-Holstein, with a population of 246,243 (2021). Kiel lies approximately north of Hamburg. Due to its geographic location in the southeast of the Jutland pe ...

St. Louis St. Louis () is the second-largest city in Missouri, United States. It sits near the confluence of the Mississippi and the Missouri Rivers. In 2020, the city proper had a population of 301,578, while the bi-state metropolitan area, which e ...

Missouri Missouri is a U.S. state, state in the Midwestern United States, Midwestern region of the United States. Ranking List of U.S. states and territories by area, 21st in land area, it is bordered by eight states (tied for the most with Tennessee ...

Notes

References

* * {{DEFAULTSORT:1996-97 Tampa Bay Lightning season T T Tampa Bay Lightning seasons

Tampa Bay Lightning The Tampa Bay Lightning (colloquially known as the Bolts) are a professional ice hockey team based in Tampa, Florida. They compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic Division in the Eastern Conference. They play th ...