The 1997–98 Tampa Bay Lightning season was the Lightning's sixth season of operation. The Lightning missed the playoffs for the second consecutive year.

Offseason

Regular season

On October 26, head coach

Terry Crisp Terrance Arthur Crisp (born May 28, 1943) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey coach and player. Crisp played ten seasons in the National Hockey League for the Boston Bruins, St. Louis Blues, New York Islanders and Philadelphia Flyers be ...

was fired after a 2–7–2 start and Paul Ysebaert’s tenure as team captain ended. Assistant coach

Rick Paterson David Rick Paterson (born February 10, 1958) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player and coach. He played 430 games in the National Hockey League with the Chicago Black Hawks from 1979 through 1987. After leaving Chicago, he worked a ...

served as interim head coach until

Jacques Demers Jacques Demers (born 25 August 1944) is a former Canadian Senator, former broadcaster and former professional ice hockey head coach. After a lengthy coaching career in the World Hockey Association and in the National Hockey League, Demers becam ...

was hired as the team’s new head coach on November 12. Demers named Mikael Renberg the team’s new captain on November 19. The Lightning struggled offensively during the regular season, being shut out a league-high 11 times (tied with the

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 (N ...

and the

Mighty Ducks of Anaheim Mighty may refer to: Businesses *Mighty Audio, an American company known for its product ''Mighty'', a portable audio player *Mighty Animation, an animation studio based in Guadalajara, Mexico Films *''The Mighty'', a 1998 comedy–drama * ''The ...

) and finishing 26th in goals scored (151), power-play goals scored (33) and power-play percentage (9.35%). The 9.35% power play was the lowest in NHL history in one season by any team until the 2020-21 Anaheim Ducks surpassed it with an 8.94% power play efficiency.

Final standings

Schedule and results

, - , 1, , October 1, 1997, , 4–2 , , align="left",

Carolina Hurricanes The Carolina Hurricanes (colloquially known as the Canes) are a professional ice hockey team based in Raleigh, North Carolina. The Hurricanes compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Con ...

( 1997–98) , , 1–0–0 , , , - , 2, , October 3, 1997, , 3–4 , , align="left",

New Jersey Devils The New Jersey Devils are a 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 Conference. The club w ...

( 1997–98) , , 1–1–0 , , , - , 3, , October 5, 1997, , 1–1 OT, , 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 (NHL), Atlantic Division in the Eastern Conference (NHL), Eastern Con ...

( 1997–98) , , 1–1–1 , , , - , 4, , October 9, 1997, , 4–1 , , align="left", @

( 1997–98) , , 2–1–1 , , , - , 5, , October 10, 1997, , 0–3 , , 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 ...

( 1997–98) , , 2–2–1 , , , - , 6, , October 15, 1997, , 1–2 , , align="left", @

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

( 1997–98) , , 2–3–1 , , , - , 7, , October 17, 1997, , 1–4 , , align="left",

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

( 1997–98) , , 2–4–1 , , , - , 8, , October 18, 1997, , 0–5 , , align="left", @

( 1997–98) , , 2–5–1 , , , - , 9, , October 21, 1997, , 1–7 , , align="left", @

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 (NHL), Eastern Conference. The team play ...

( 1997–98) , , 2–6–1 , , , - , 10, , October 23, 1997, , 2–2 OT, , 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 (NHL), Atlantic Division in the Eastern Conference (NHL), Eastern Conference. The t ...

( 1997–98) , , 2–6–2 , , , - , 11, , October 24, 1997, , 3–4 , , align="left", @

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

( 1997–98) , , 2–7–2 , , , - , 12, , October 26, 1997, , 1–3 , , align="left",

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

( 1997–98) , , 2–8–2 , , , - , 13, , October 29, 1997, , 2–5 , , align="left",

Ottawa Senators The Ottawa Senators (), officially the Ottawa Senators Hockey Club and colloquially known as the Sens, are a professional ice hockey team based in Ottawa. The Senators compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic Di ...

( 1997–98) , , 2–9–2 , , , - , - , 14, , November 5, 1997, , 2–5 , , align="left", @

( 1997–98) , , 2–10–2 , , , - , 15, , November 6, 1997, , 2–5 , , align="left", @

( 1997–98) , , 2–11–2 , , , - , 16, , November 8, 1997, , 1–3 , , align="left", @

San Jose Sharks The San Jose Sharks are a professional ice hockey team based in San Jose, California. The Sharks compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Pacific Division (NHL), Pacific Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Con ...

( 1997–98) , , 2–12–2 , , , - , 17, , November 11, 1997, , 2–5 , , align="left", @

Phoenix Coyotes The Arizona Coyotes are an inactive professional ice hockey team based in the Phoenix metropolitan area. They competed in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Central Division (NHL), Central Division (1996–1998, 2021–2024) and ...

( 1997–98) , , 2–13–2 , , , - , 18, , November 14, 1997, , 1–4 , , 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 (N ...

( 1997–98) , , 2–14–2 , , , - , 19, , November 16, 1997, , 2–3 , , align="left", @

( 1997–98) , , 2–15–2 , , , - , 20, , November 17, 1997, , 1–4 , , align="left", @

Montreal Canadiens The Montreal Canadiens (), officially ' ( Canadian Hockey Club) and colloquially known as the Habs, are a professional ice hockey team based in Montreal. The Canadiens compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic D ...

( 1997–98) , , 2–16–2 , , , - , 21, , November 19, 1997, , 6–3 , , align="left",

( 1997–98) , , 3–16–2 , , , - , 22, , November 22, 1997, , 4–3 , , 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. The ...

( 1997–98) , , 4–16–2 , , , - , 23, , November 26, 1997, , 3–3 OT, , align="left",

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

( 1997–98) , , 4–16–3 , , , - , 24, , November 28, 1997, , 0–2 , , align="left", @

( 1997–98) , , 4–17–3 , , , - , 25, , November 29, 1997, , 3–3 OT, , align="left",

( 1997–98) , , 4–17–4 , , , - , - , 26, , December 3, 1997, , 2–1 , , align="left",

( 1997–98) , , 5–17–4 , , , - , 27, , December 5, 1997, , 0–4 , , align="left", @

( 1997–98) , , 5–18–4 , , , - , 28, , December 6, 1997, , 2–4 , , align="left", @

( 1997–98) , , 5–19–4 , , , - , 29, , December 10, 1997, , 0–3 , , align="left", @

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

( 1997–98) , , 5–20–4 , , , - , 30, , December 13, 1997, , 3–1 , , align="left", @

( 1997–98) , , 6–20–4 , , , - , 31, , December 14, 1997, , 0–3 , , align="left", @

( 1997–98) , , 6–21–4 , , , - , 32, , December 16, 1997, , 1–1 OT, , align="left", @

( 1997–98) , , 6–21–5 , , , - , 33, , December 17, 1997, , 2–0 , , align="left",

( 1997–98) , , 7–21–5 , , , - , 34, , December 20, 1997, , 2–2 OT, , align="left",

( 1997–98) , , 7–21–6 , , , - , 35, , December 22, 1997, , 2–2 OT, , 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 (NHL), Central Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Conference. Th ...

( 1997–98) , , 7–21–7 , , , - , 36, , December 23, 1997, , 1–4 , , align="left", @

( 1997–98) , , 7–22–7 , , , - , 37, , December 27, 1997, , 1–3 , , align="left",

( 1997–98) , , 7–23–7 , , , - , 38, , December 29, 1997, , 2–1 , , align="left",

( 1997–98) , , 8–23–7 , , , - , 39, , December 31, 1997, , 2–0 , , align="left",

( 1997–98) , , 9–23–7 , , , - , - , 40, , January 2, 1998, , 2–2 OT, , align="left",

( 1997–98) , , 9–23–8 , , , - , 41, , January 3, 1998, , 1–4 , , align="left",

( 1997–98) , , 9–24–8 , , , - , 42, , January 7, 1998, , 2–5 , , 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. The Maple Leafs compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the A ...

( 1997–98) , , 9–25–8 , , , - , 43, , January 9, 1998, , 1–4 , , align="left", @

( 1997–98) , , 9–26–8 , , , - , 44, , January 11, 1998, , 2–5 , , align="left",

( 1997–98) , , 9–27–8 , , , - , 45, , January 12, 1998, , 3–6 , , align="left",

( 1997–98) , , 9–28–8 , , , - , 46, , January 14, 1998, , 1–7 , , align="left",

( 1997–98) , , 9–29–8 , , , - , 47, , January 21, 1998, , 2–3 OT, , align="left",

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

( 1997–98) , , 9–30–8 , , , - , 48, , January 23, 1998, , 1–4 , , align="left", @

( 1997–98) , , 9–31–8 , , , - , 49, , January 24, 1998, , 2–5 , , align="left", @

( 1997–98) , , 9–32–8 , , , - , 50, , January 26, 1998, , 1–2 , , align="left", @

( 1997–98) , , 9–33–8 , , , - , 51, , January 28, 1998, , 2–3 , , align="left",

( 1997–98) , , 9–34–8 , , , - , 52, , January 31, 1998, , 0–2 , , align="left", @

( 1997–98) , , 9–35–8 , , , - , - , 53, , February 2, 1998, , 3–7 , , align="left",

( 1997–98) , , 9–36–8 , , , - , 54, , February 4, 1998, , 3–3 OT, , align="left", @

( 1997–98) , , 9–36–9 , , , - , 55, , February 5, 1998, , 4–5 , , align="left",

( 1997–98) , , 9–37–9 , , , - , 56, , February 7, 1998, , 4–3 , , align="left", @

( 1997–98) , , 10–37–9 , , , - , 57, , February 25, 1998, , 4–3 , , align="left", @

( 1997–98) , , 11–37–9 , , , - , 58, , February 26, 1998, , 1–4 , , align="left",

( 1997–98) , , 11–38–9 , , , - , 59, , February 28, 1998, , 5–2 , , align="left",

( 1997–98) , , 12–38–9 , , , - , - , 60, , March 3, 1998, , 1–2 , , align="left", @

( 1997–98) , , 12–39–9 , , , - , 61, , March 4, 1998, , 2–4 , , 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 (NHL), Pacific Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Conference. Th ...

( 1997–98) , , 12–40–9 , , , - , 62, , March 7, 1998, , 2–5 , , align="left", @

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

( 1997–98) , , 12–41–9 , , , - , 63, , March 9, 1998, , 2–1 , , align="left", @

( 1997–98) , , 13–41–9 , , , - , 64, , March 11, 1998, , 0–2 , , align="left",

( 1997–98) , , 13–42–9 , , , - , 65, , March 14, 1998, , 1–0 , , align="left",

( 1997–98) , , 14–42–9 , , , - , 66, , March 16, 1998, , 3–4 OT, , align="left", @

( 1997–98) , , 14–43–9 , , , - , 67, , March 18, 1998, , 4–2 , , align="left",

( 1997–98) , , 15–43–9 , , , - , 68, , March 21, 1998, , 5–1 , , align="left",

( 1997–98) , , 16–43–9 , , , - , 69, , March 25, 1998, , 1–2 OT, , align="left",

( 1997–98) , , 16–44–9 , , , - , 70, , March 26, 1998, , 2–3 , , align="left", @

( 1997–98) , , 16–45–9 , , , - , 71, , March 28, 1998, , 2–8 , , align="left", @

( 1997–98) , , 16–46–9 , , , - , 72, , March 30, 1998, , 3–1 , , align="left", @

( 1997–98) , , 17–46–9 , , , - , - , 73, , April 1, 1998, , 0–4 , , align="left", @

( 1997–98) , , 17–47–9 , , , - , 74, , April 2, 1998, , 1–4 , , align="left", @

( 1997–98) , , 17–48–9 , , , - , 75, , April 4, 1998, , 1–4 , , align="left",

( 1997–98) , , 17–49–9 , , , - , 76, , April 6, 1998, , 0–3 , , align="left",

( 1997–98) , , 17–50–9 , , , - , 77, , April 8, 1998, , 1–6 , , align="left",

( 1997–98) , , 17–51–9 , , , - , 78, , April 11, 1998, , 1–5 , , align="left",

( 1997–98) , , 17–52–9 , , , - , 79, , April 13, 1998, , 2–3 , , align="left",

( 1997–98) , , 17–53–9 , , , - , 80, , April 15, 1998, , 1–5 , , align="left", @

( 1997–98) , , 17–54–9 , , , - , 81, , April 16, 1998, , 0–4 , , align="left", @

( 1997–98) , , 17–55–9 , , , - , 82, , April 18, 1998, , 2–2 OT, , align="left",

( 1997–98) , , 17–55–10 , , , - , - , ''Legend'':

Player statistics

Scoring

* ''Position abbreviations: C = Center; 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 goalie or netminder) is the player responsible for preventing the hockey puck from entering their own team's net, thus preventing the opposing team from scoring. The goaltender mostly plays ...

; 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 either as a whole or of certain social hierarchies. Left-wing politic ...

; RW =

Right wing Right-wing politics is the range of Ideology#Political ideologies, political ideologies that view certain social orders and Social stratification, hierarchies as inevitable, natural, normal, or desirable, typically supporting this position b ...

'' * '' = 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

Records

Tampa Bay set team records for the longest losing streak, 13 games from January 3 to February 2, and the longest winless streak, 16 games from October 10 to November 17 and January 2 to February 5.

Milestones

Transactions

Draft picks

Tampa Bay's draft picks at the 1997 NHL entry draft held at the Civic Arena in

Pittsburgh Pittsburgh ( ) is a city in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, United States, and its county seat. It is the List of municipalities in Pennsylvania#Municipalities, second-most populous city in Pennsylvania (after Philadelphia) and the List of Un ...

Pennsylvania Pennsylvania, officially the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, is a U.S. state, state spanning the Mid-Atlantic (United States), Mid-Atlantic, Northeastern United States, Northeastern, Appalachian, and Great Lakes region, Great Lakes regions o ...

References

* * {{DEFAULTSORT:1997-98 Tampa Bay Lightning season T Tampa Bay Lightning seasons

Tamp A tamper is a device used to compact or flatten an aggregate or another powdered or granular material, typically to make it resistant to further compression or simply to increase its density. Examples * Small, handheld tampers are used to compre ...

1990s in Tampa, Florida