The 2008–09 Tampa Bay Lightning season was the 17th season for the franchise in

Tampa Bay Tampa Bay is a large natural harbor and shallow estuary connected to the Gulf of Mexico on the west-central coast of Florida, comprising Hillsborough Bay, McKay Bay, Old Tampa Bay, Middle Tampa Bay, and Lower Tampa Bay. The largest freshwater i ...

. After a season of turnover in ownership, management and players, the team had a turbulent regular season. The Lightning failed to qualify for the

Stanley Cup playoffs The Stanley Cup playoffs () is the annual elimination tournament to determine the winner of the Stanley Cup, and the league champion of the National Hockey League (NHL). The four-round, best-of-seven tournament is held after the NHL's regular s ...

Off-season

On June 3, it was announced that head coach

John Tortorella John Tortorella (born June 24, 1958) is an American professional ice hockey coach and former player. He most recently served as head coach for the Philadelphia Flyers of the National Hockey League (NHL). Tortorella has also been the head coach of ...

would not return to the team despite having one year remaining on his contract. On June 18, 2008, the NHL Board of Governors approved the sale of the Tampa Bay Lightning. The sale of the Lightning was made to movie and television producer

Oren Koules Oren Koules (born January 31, 1961) is an American entrepreneur and film producer. He is the co-founder of Evolution Entertainment and produced the Saw (franchise), ''Saw'' film series as well as the CBS television series ''Two and a Half Men'' ...

. The deal depended the closing of the financial deal of US$200 million to buy the team and lease the St. Pete Times Forum. Koules, 47, played in Medicine Hat and Calgary in the

Western Hockey League The Western Hockey League (WHL) is a junior ice hockey league based in Western Canada and the Northwestern United States. The WHL is one of three leagues that constitutes the Canadian Hockey League (CHL) as the highest level of junior hocke ...

(WHL) in the early 1980s. In more recent years, he achieved success with the ''

Saw A saw is a tool consisting of a tough blade, Wire saw, wire, or Chainsaw, chain with a hard toothed edge used to cut through material. Various terms are used to describe toothed and abrasive saws. Saws began as serrated materials, and when man ...

'' movie franchise and the television sitcom ''

Two and a Half Men Two and a Half Men is an American television sitcom created by Chuck Lorre and Lee Aronsohn that aired on CBS for 12 seasons from September 22, 2003, to February 19, 2015. The series originally starred Charlie Sheen as Charlie Harper, a hedonis ...

''. Among his business partners in the Lightning deal is former NHL player Len Barrie. On June 24, the Lightning announced that

Barry Melrose Barry James Melrose (born July 15, 1956) is a Canadian–American retired broadcaster and former professional ice hockey player and head coach. Melrose played in the World Hockey Association (WHA) and National Hockey League (NHL). After retiring ...

was hired as the team's new head coach. Melrose had not coached in the NHL since 1995 with the

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. ...

. Since that time, he had served as an analyst for the

ESPN ESPN (an initialism of their original name, which was the Entertainment and Sports Programming Network) is an American international basic cable sports channel owned by the Walt Disney Company (80% and operational control) and Hearst Commu ...

networks. Goaltender

Marc Denis Joseph Marc Denis (born August 1, 1977) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey goaltender, who last played with the Montreal Canadiens of the National Hockey League (NHL). For the 2009–10 season, he was hired as the goaltenders' coach of ...

' contract was bought-out by the Lightning on June 25, almost two years to the date after his acquisition from the

Columbus Blue Jackets The Columbus Blue Jackets (often simply referred to as the Jackets) are a professional ice hockey team based in Columbus, Ohio. The Blue Jackets compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern C ...

. Denis had one year remaining on his contract. The Lightning acquired the rights to left wingers

Ryan Malone Ryan Gregory Malone (born December 1, 1979), nicknamed "Bugsy", is an American former professional ice hockey forward. He played in the National Hockey League (NHL) with the Pittsburgh Penguins, Tampa Bay Lightning and New York Rangers. In 2003 ...

and Gary Roberts from the

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 ...

in exchange for a conditional draft pick in

2009 2009 was designated as the International Year of Astronomy by the United Nations to coincide with the 400th anniversary of Galileo Galilei's first known astronomical studies with a telescope and the publication of Astronomia Nova by Joha ...

. Malone then agreed to a seven-year contract with the Lightning two days before he was scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent. The Lightning acquired the rights to right wing

Brian Rolston Brian Lee Rolston (born February 21, 1973) is an American former professional ice hockey player who most recently played for the Boston Bruins of the National Hockey League (NHL). He won a Stanley Cup with the New Jersey Devils in 1995, and the ...

from the

Minnesota Wild The Minnesota Wild are a professional ice hockey team based in Saint Paul, Minnesota. The Wild compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Central Division (NHL), Central Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Confer ...

in exchange for a conditional draft pick in 2009 or

2010 The year saw a multitude of natural and environmental disasters such as the 2010 Haiti earthquake, the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, and the 2010 Chile earthquake. The 2009 swine flu pandemic, swine flu pandemic which began the previous year ...

. Rolston would later sign with the

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 ...

. The whirlwind 32 days of questionable moves by new ownership came to a head on July 4 when, despite coming off a recent contract extension, Dan Boyle was traded along with

Brad Lukowich Bradley J. Lukowich (born August 12, 1976) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey defenceman and former assistant coach of the Lethbridge Hurricanes of the Western Hockey League. He has won the Stanley Cup twice in his career, with the Dall ...

to the

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 ...

in exchange for

Matt Carle Matthew Carle (born September 25, 1984) is an American former professional ice hockey Defenceman, defenseman. Carle played in the National Hockey League (NHL) with the San Jose Sharks, Tampa Bay Lightning, Philadelphia Flyers and Nashville Pred ...

(who would be traded in early November),

Ty Wishart Ty Wishart (born May 19, 1988) is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman. He is currently playing with the Melbourne Mustangs in the AIHL. Wishart grew up in Comox, British Columbia, playing minor hockey there until his midget years. ...

, a first-round draft pick in 2009 (which was traded in August) and a fourth round draft pick in 2010. Boyle was pressured to waive his no-trade clause by Tampa Bay's ownership, who said they would otherwise place him on waivers where he would likely be claimed by the

Atlanta Thrashers The Atlanta Thrashers were a professional ice hockey team based in Atlanta. Atlanta was granted a franchise in the National Hockey League (NHL) on June 25, 1997, and became the League's 28th franchise when it began play in the 1999–2000 NHL sea ...

. Frustrated at interference in the team's hockey operations by owners Len Barrie and

, seven days later, general manager Jay Feaster resigned, despite having three years remaining on his contract. Indeed,

Brian Lawton Brian Robert Lawton (born June 29, 1965) is an American former professional ice hockey player, agent and general manager, who played 483 regular season games in the National Hockey League (NHL) between the 1983–84 and 1992–93 seasons. Draf ...

had already taken over the position, though not officially until October 2. John Tortorella would later go on to label the new owners as "cowboys" for these and other dubious moves, a moniker that would stick with them. On August 29, the Lightning acquired defenceman Andrej Meszaros from the

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 ...

in exchange for defenceman

Filip Kuba Filip Kuba (born December 29, 1976) is a Czech former professional ice hockey defenseman. Kuba most recently played for the Florida Panthers of the National Hockey League (NHL). He has previously played for the Minnesota Wild, Tampa Bay Lightning ...

, as well as Alexandre Picard, and a first-round pick in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft (obtained in the Dan Boyle deal with the San Jose Sharks). The Lightning would go on to sign Meszaros to a six-year contract worth $24 million. On September 18, the Lightning announced that their new team captain would be

Vincent Lecavalier Vincent Lecavalier (born April 21, 1980) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey centre currently working as a special advisor of hockey operations for the Montreal Canadiens of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was selected first ove ...

Preseason

The Tampa Bay Lightning will be playing five pre-season games before opening the season against the

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 ...

on October 4 in

Prague Prague ( ; ) is the capital and List of cities and towns in the Czech Republic, largest city of the Czech Republic and the historical capital of Bohemia. Prague, located on the Vltava River, has a population of about 1.4 million, while its P ...

. Of special note, this is the first time that Tampa Bay will be opening the season outside of North America. This will also be the first time that the Lightning will play a pre-season game outside North America, playing

Eisbären Berlin The Eisbären Berlin (; English: ''Berlin Polar Bears'') is a professional ice hockey team based in Berlin, Germany. The team competes in the Deutsche Eishockey Liga (DEL), the highest level of play in professional German ice hockey, and is also ...

in Germany on September 28. It was announced later that the Lightning would also play against Slovan Bratislava of the

Slovak Extraliga The Slovak Extraliga, known as the Tipsport liga since the 2025–26 season for sponsorship reasons, is the highest-level ice hockey league in Slovakia. From 2018–19 to 2020–21, the league included one or two teams from Hungary. Teams fro ...

on September 30. *Note: all times EST and bold games are home games.

Regular season

The Lightning struggled on the penalty kill, finishing the regular season with the most power-play opportunities against (405) and the most power-play goals allowed (89).

Divisional standings

Conference standings

Game log

, - align="center" bgcolor="#ffbbbb" , 1 , , October 4 , ,

, , 1 – 2 , ,

† , , 17,085 , , 0-1-0 , , 0 , - align="center" bgcolor="#ffbbbb" , 2 , , October 5 , , New York Rangers , , 1 – 2 , , Prague‡ , , 17,085 , , 0-2-0 , , 0 , - align="center" bgcolor="#ffffff" , 3 , , October 11 , ,

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 ...

, , 3 – 4 OT , , St. Pete Times Forum , , 18,552 , , 0-2-1 , , 1 , - align="center" bgcolor="#ffffff" , 4 , , October 16 , ,

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 ...

, , 3 – 4 OT , , St. Pete Times Forum , , 14,420 , , 0-2-2 , , 2 , - align="center" bgcolor="#ffffff" , 5 , , October 18 , ,

, , 0 – 1 SO, , St. Pete Times Forum , , 15,191 , , 0-2-3 , , 3 , - align="center" bgcolor="#bbffbb" , 6 , , October 21 , ,

, , 3 – 2 OT , , St. Pete Times Forum , , 13,922 , , 1-2-3 , , 5 , - align="center" bgcolor="#ffbbbb" , 7 , , October 25 , ,

, , 0 – 3 , , St. Pete Times Forum , , 16,831 , , 1-3-3 , , 5 , - align="center" bgcolor="#bbffbb" , 8 , , October 28 , ,

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 ...

, , 3 – 2 , ,

Air Canada Centre Scotiabank Arena (SBA), formerly known as Air Canada Centre (ACC), is a multi-purposed arena located on Bay Street in downtown Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It is the home of the Toronto Raptors of the National Basketball Association (NBA) and t ...

, , 19,348 , , 2-3-3 , , 7 , - align="center" bgcolor="#bbffbb" , 9 , , October 30 , ,

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 ...

, , 5 – 2 , ,

HSBC Arena HSBC Arena may refer to: * Jeunesse Arena in Rio de Janeiro, known as HSBC Arena from 2008 to 2017 * KeyBank Center KeyBank Center is a multipurpose indoor arena located in Buffalo, New York, United States. Originally known as Marine Midlan ...

, , 18,690 , , 3-3-3 , , 9 , - , colspan=8 , † Tampa Bay was the designated 'home' team on October 4.
‡ New York Rangers were the designated 'home' team on October 5. , - , - align="center" bgcolor="#bbffbb" , 10 , , November 1 , ,

, , 3 – 2 , , St. Pete Times Forum , , 16,104 , , 4-3-3 , , 11 , - align="center" bgcolor="#ffffff" , 11 , , November 5 , ,

, , 3 – 4 SO , ,

Prudential Center Prudential Center is a multipurpose indoor arena in the central business district of Newark, New Jersey, United States. Opened in 2007, it is the home of the New Jersey Devils of the National Hockey League (NHL), the New York Sirens of the Pro ...

, , 11,619 , , 4-3-4 , , 12 , - align="center" bgcolor="#ffbbbb" , 12 , , November 6 , , New York Rangers , , 2 – 5 , ,

Madison Square Garden Madison Square Garden, colloquially known as the Garden or by its initials MSG, is a multi-purpose indoor arena in New York City. It is located in Midtown Manhattan between Seventh Avenue (Manhattan), Seventh and Eighth Avenue (Manhattan), Eig ...

, , 18,200 , , 4-4-4 , , 12 , - align="center" bgcolor="#bbffbb" , 13 , , November 8 , ,

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 ...

, , 2 – 1 , ,

Wachovia Center Wells Fargo Center (to be renamed to Xfinity Mobile Arena effective September 1, 2025) is a multi-purpose indoor arena located in Philadelphia. It serves as the home of the Philadelphia Flyers of the National Hockey League (NHL), the Philadel ...

, , 19,412 , , 5-4-4 , , 14 , - align="center" bgcolor="#ffbbbb" , 14 , , November 10 , ,

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 ...

, , 2 – 4 , , Verizon Center , , 17,932 , , 5-5-4 , , 14 , - align="center" bgcolor="#ffbbbb" , 15 , , November 12 , ,

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 ...

, , 0 – 4 , ,

BankAtlantic Center Amerant Bank Arena (previously known as the National Car Rental Center, Office Depot Center, BankAtlantic Center, BB&T Center, and FLA Live Arena) is an indoor arena in Sunrise, Florida, United States. It is the home venue for the Florida Panth ...

, , 12,104 , , 5-6-4 , , 14 , - align="center" bgcolor="#ffbbbb" , 16 , , November 13 , ,

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 ...

, , 3 – 4 , , St. Pete Times Forum , , 20,544 , , 5-7-4 , , 14 , - align="center" bgcolor="#ffffff" , 17 , , November 16 , , Carolina Hurricanes , , 2 – 3 SO , ,

RBC Center RBC may refer to: Media and arts * Radio Beijing Corporation, a family of municipal radio stations in Beijing, China * RBC Ministries, now Our Daily Bread Ministries, a Christian media outlet in Grand Rapids, Michigan * RBC Radio, the former na ...

, , 13,781 , , 5-7-5 , , 15 , - align="center" bgcolor="#ffffff" , 18 , , November 18 , , Florida Panthers , , 3 – 4 SO , , St. Pete Times Forum , , 16,176 , , 5-7-6 , , 16 , - align="center" bgcolor="#bbffbb" , 19 , , November 21 , ,

Nashville Predators The Nashville Predators (colloquially referred to as the Preds) are a professional ice hockey team based in Nashville, Tennessee. The Predators compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Central Division (NHL), Central Divisio ...

, , 4 – 1 , , St. Pete Times Forum , , 16,444 , , 6-7-6 , , 18 , - align="center" bgcolor="#ffbbbb" , 20 , , November 23 , , New Jersey Devils , , 3 – 7 , , St. Pete Times Forum , , 14,222 , , 6-8-6 , , 18 , - align="center" bgcolor="#ffffff" , 21 , , November 26 , , New York Rangers , , 2 – 3 SO , , St. Pete Times Forum , , 16,991 , , 6-8-7 , , 19 , - align="center" bgcolor="#ffbbbb" , 22 , , November 28 , , Minnesota Wild , , 2 – 4 , ,

Xcel Energy Center Xcel Energy Center is a multipurpose arena in Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States. Completed in 2000 and often called "The X" by fans, it is named for its locally based corporate sponsor Xcel Energy. With an official capacity of 17,954, the arena ...

, , 18,568 , , 6-9-7 , , 19 , - align="center" bgcolor="#ffbbbb" , 23 , , November 29 , ,

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 ...

, , 3 – 4 , ,

Pepsi Center Ball Arena (formerly known as the Pepsi Center) is a multi-purpose indoor arena located in Denver, Colorado, United States. It is situated at Speer Boulevard, a main thoroughfare in downtown Denver, and is served by two nearby exits off Int ...

, , 18,007 , , 6-10-7 , , 19 , - , - align="center" bgcolor="#ffffff" , 24 , , December 2 , , Philadelphia Flyers , , 3 – 4 OT , , Wachovia Center , , 19,227 , , 6-10-8 , , 20 , - align="center" bgcolor="#ffbbbb" , 25 , , December 4 , ,

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 ...

, , 1 – 3 , , St. Pete Times Forum , , 15,598 , , 6-11-8 , , 20 , - align="center" bgcolor="#ffbbbb" , 26 , , December 6 , , Buffalo Sabres , , 3 – 4 , , St. Pete Times Forum , , 17,154 , , 6-12-8 , , 20 , - align="center" bgcolor="#ffbbbb" , 27 , , December 8 , , Boston Bruins , , 3 – 5 , ,

TD Banknorth Garden TD Garden (named the FleetCenter from opening until 2005 and TD Banknorth Garden until 2009) is a multi-purpose arena in Boston. It is located directly above the MBTA's North Station, and it replaced the original Boston Garden upon opening i ...

, , 16,973 , , 6-13-8 , , 20 , - align="center" bgcolor="#ffbbbb" , 28 , , December 10 , , Buffalo Sabres , , 2 – 4 , , HSBC Arena , , 18,431 , , 6-14-8 , , 20 , - align="center" bgcolor="#bbffbb" , 29 , , December 11 , ,

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 ...

, , 3 – 1 , ,

Bell Centre Bell Centre (French: ''Centre Bell)'', formerly known as Molson Centre, is a multi-purpose arena located in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Opened on March 16, 1996, it is the home arena of the Montreal Canadiens of the National Hockey League (NHL), ...

, , 21,273 , , 7-14-8 , , 22 , - align="center" bgcolor="#ffbbbb" , 30 , , December 13 , , Ottawa Senators , , 0 – 2 , ,

Scotiabank Place Canadian Tire Centre () is a multi-purpose arena in the suburb of Kanata in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. It opened in January 1996 as the Palladium and was also known as Corel Centre () from 1996 to 2006 and Scotiabank Place () from 2006 to 2013. ...

, , 18,446 , , 7-15-8 , , 22 , - align="center" bgcolor="ffffff" , 31 , , December 18 , , Colorado Avalanche , , 1 – 2 SO , , St. Pete Times Forum , , 16,333 , , 7-15-9 , , 23 , - align="center" bgcolor="#ffbbbb" , 32 , , December 20 , , Atlanta Thrashers , , 3 – 4 , ,

Philips Arena State Farm Arena is a Multi-purpose stadium, multi-purpose arena located in Atlanta, Georgia. The arena serves as the home venue for the Atlanta Hawks of the National Basketball Association (NBA). It also served as home to the Atlanta Thrasher ...

, , 14,395 , , 7-16-9 , , 23 , - align="center" bgcolor="#bbffbb" , 33 , , December 23 , , Pittsburgh Penguins , , 2 – 0 , ,

Mellon Arena The Civic Arena, formerly the Civic Auditorium and later Mellon Arena, was an arena located in Downtown Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The Civic Arena primarily served as the home to the Pittsburgh Penguins, the city's National Hockey League (NHL) ...

, , 17,064 , , 8-16-9 , , 25 , - align="center" bgcolor="#bbffbb" , 34 , , December 26 , , Florida Panthers , , 4 – 3 SO , , BankAtlantic Center , , 16,961 , , 9-16-9 , , 27 , - align="center" bgcolor="#bbffbb" , 35 , , December 27 , , Florida Panthers , , 6 – 4 , , St. Pete Times Forum , , 18,226 , , 10-16-9 , , 29 , - align="center" bgcolor="ffffff" , 36 , , December 30 , , Montreal Canadiens , , 1 – 2 SO , , St. Pete Times Forum , , 20,454 , , 10-16-10 , , 30 , - , - align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 37 , , January 1 , , Washington Capitals , , 4 – 7 , , Verizon Center , , 18,227 , , 10-17-10 , , 30 , - align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 38 , , January 3 , , Carolina Hurricanes , , 2 – 3 , , St. Pete Times Forum , , 15,873 , , 10-18-10 , , 30 , - align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" , 39 , , January 4 , , Atlanta Thrashers , , 4 – 1 , , Philips Arena , , 10,750 , , 11-18-10 , , 32 , - align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 40 , , January 8 , ,

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 ...

, , 1 – 4 , , Jobing.com Arena , , 13,736 , , 11-19-10 , , 32 , - align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" , 41 , , January 9 , ,

Anaheim Ducks The Anaheim Ducks are a professional ice hockey team based in Anaheim, California. The Ducks compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Pacific Division (NHL), Pacific Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Confere ...

, , 4 – 3 , ,

Honda Center Honda Center (formerly known as the Arrowhead Pond of Anaheim) is an indoor arena located in Anaheim, California. The arena is home to the Anaheim Ducks of the National Hockey League. Originally named the Anaheim Arena during construction, it w ...

, , 17,174 , , 12-19-10 , , 34 , - align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" , 42 , , January 12 , ,

, , 3 – 1 , ,

Staples Center Crypto.com Arena (originally and colloquially known as Staples Center) is a multi-purpose indoor arena in downtown Los Angeles. Opened on October 17, 1999, as Staples Center, it is located next to the Los Angeles Convention Center complex along F ...

, , 16,511 , , 13-19-10 , , 36 , - align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 43 , , January 13 , ,

, , 1 – 7 , ,

HP Pavilion at San Jose SAP Center at San Jose (originally known as San Jose Arena and HP Pavilion at San Jose) is an indoor arena located in San Jose, California. Its primary tenant is the San Jose Sharks of the National Hockey League, for which the arena has earned ...

, , 17,496 , , 13-20-10 , , 36 , - align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" , 44 , , January 15 , , Philadelphia Flyers , , 4 – 1 , , St. Pete Times Forum , , 15,604 , , 14-20-10 , , 38 , - align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 45 , , January 17 , , Florida Panthers , , 3 – 4 , , St. Pete Times Forum , , 17,217 , , 14-21-10 , , 38 , - align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" , 46 , , January 19 , ,

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 ...

, , 4 – 2 , , St. Pete Times Forum , , 13,991 , , 15-21-10 , , 40 , - align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" , 47 , , January 21 , , Buffalo Sabres , , 5 – 3 , , St. Pete Times Forum , , 15,611 , , 16-21-10 , , 42 , - align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" , 48 , , January 27 , , Montreal Canadiens , , 5 – 3 , , St. Pete Times Forum , , 15,912 , , 17-21-10 , , 44 , - align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 49 , , January 29 , , Carolina Hurricanes , , 2 – 3 , , RBC Center , , 16,405 , , 17-22-10 , , 44 , - align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 50 , , January 30 , , Philadelphia Flyers , , 1 – 6 , , St. Pete Times Forum , , 18,120 , , 17-23-10 , , 44 , - , - align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 51 , , February 3 , , New York Islanders , , 1 – 3 , ,

Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum (or simply the Nassau Coliseum) is a multi-purpose indoor arena in Uniondale, New York, on Long Island. The venue is situated approximately east of the eastern limits of the borough of Queens in New York City, a ...

, , 9,808 , , 17-24-10 , , 44 , - align="center" bgcolor="ffffff" , 52 , , February 4 , , Pittsburgh Penguins , , 3 – 4 OT , , Mellon Arena , , 16,977 , , 17-24-11 , , 45 , - align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" , 53 , , February 7 , , New York Islanders , , 1 – 0 , , St. Pete Times Forum , , 14,810 , , 18-24-11 , , 47 , - align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 54 , , February 10 , , Atlanta Thrashers , , 1 – 3 , , St. Pete Times Forum , , 13,490 , , 18-25-11 , , 47 , - align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" , 55 , , February 12 , , Toronto Maple Leafs , , 6 – 4 , , St. Pete Times Forum , , 16,526 , , 19-25-11 , , 49 , - align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 56 , , February 14 , , Washington Capitals , , 1 – 5 , , St. Pete Times Forum , , 17,249 , , 19-26-11 , , 49 , - align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 57 , , February 17 , ,

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 ...

, , 3 – 5 , , St. Pete Times Forum , , 15,431 , , 19-27-11 , , 49 , - align="center" bgcolor="ffffff" , 58 , , February 19 , , New Jersey Devils , , 2 – 3 SO , , St. Pete Times Forum , , 14,408 , , 19-27-12 , , 50 , - align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 59 , , February 20 , , Carolina Hurricanes , , 1 – 4 , , RBC Center , , 17,711 , , 19-28-12 , , 50 , - align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" , 60 , , February 22 , , Boston Bruins , , 4 – 3 , , St. Pete Times Forum , , 18,454 , , 20-28-12 , , 52 , - align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 61 , , February 24 , ,

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 ...

, , 3 – 5 , ,

Rexall Place Northlands Coliseum is a defunct indoor arena in Edmonton, Alberta. It was used for sports events and concerts, and was home to the Edmonton Oilers of the World Hockey Association (WHA) and National Hockey League (NHL), and the Edmonton Oil Kin ...

, , 16,839 , , 20-29-12 , , 52 , - align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 62 , , February 27 , ,

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 ...

, , 1 – 2 , ,

General Motors Place Rogers Arena, (formerly General Motors Place), is a multi-purpose arena at 800 Griffiths Way in the downtown area of Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Opened in 1995, the arena was known as General Motors Place (GM Place) from its opening u ...

, , 18,630 , , 20-30-12 , , 52 , - , - align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" , 63 , , March 1 , ,

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 ...

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Pengrowth Saddledome Scotiabank Saddledome is a multi-use indoor arena in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Located in Stampede Park in the southeast end of downtown Calgary, the Saddledome was built in 1983 to replace the Stampede Corral as the home of the Calgary Flames ...

, , 19,289 , , 21-30-12 , , 54 , - align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 64 , , March 3 , , Pittsburgh Penguins , , 1 – 3 , , St. Pete Times Forum , , 19,908 , , 21-31-12 , , 54 , - align="center" bgcolor="ffffff" , 65 , , March 6 , ,

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 ...

, , 3 – 4 OT , , St. Pete Times Forum , , 13,831 , , 21-31-13 , , 55 , - align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 66 , , March 7 , , Carolina Hurricanes , , 3 – 9 , , St. Pete Times Forum , , 15,692 , , 21-32-13 , , 55 , - align="center" bgcolor="ffffff" , 67 , , March 11 , , Ottawa Senators , , 2 – 3 OT , , Scotiabank Place , , 19,231 , , 21-32-14 , , 56 , - align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" , 68 , , March 12 , , Toronto Maple Leafs , , 4 – 1 , , Air Canada Centre , , 19,209 , , 22-32-14 , , 58 , - align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" , 69 , , March 14 , , Florida Panthers , , 4 – 3 SO , , BankAtlantic Center , , 17,734 , , 23-32-14 , , 60 , - align="center" bgcolor="ffffff" , 70 , , March 17 , , Toronto Maple Leafs , , 3 – 4 SO , , St. Pete Times Forum , , 18,793 , , 23-32-15 , , 61 , - align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 71 , , March 19 , , Washington Capitals , , 2 – 5 , , St. Pete Times Forum , , 16,541 , , 23-33-15 , , 61 , - align="center" bgcolor="ffffff" , 72 , , March 21 , , Atlanta Thrashers , , 3 – 4 SO , , St. Pete Times Forum , , 15,391 , , 23-33-16 , , 62 , - align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" , 73 , , March 24 , ,

, , 2 – 1 OT , , St. Pete Times Forum , , 14,454 , , 24-33-16 , , 64 , - align="center" bgcolor="ffffff" , 74 , , March 26 , , Montreal Canadiens , , 2 – 3 OT , , Bell Centre , , 21,273 , , 24-33-17 , , 65 , - align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 75 , , March 27 , , Washington Capitals , , 3 – 5 , , Verizon Center , , 18,277 , , 24-34-17 , , 65 , - align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 76 , , March 29 , , Ottawa Senators , , 0 – 3 , , St. Pete Times Forum , , 16,427 , , 24-35-17 , , 65 , - align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 77 , , March 31 , , Boston Bruins , , 1 – 3 , , TD Banknorth Garden , , 16,996 , , 24-36-17 , , 65 , - , - align="center" bgcolor="ffffff" , 78 , , April 3 , , New Jersey Devils , , 4 – 5 OT , , Prudential Center , , 17,625 , , 24-36-18 , , 66 , - align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 79 , , April 4 , , New York Islanders , , 1 – 3 , , Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum , , 12,809 , , 24-37-18 , , 66 , - align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 80 , , April 7 , , Pittsburgh Penguins , , 4 – 6 , , St. Pete Times Forum , , 19,538 , , 24-38-18 , , 66 , - align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 81 , , April 9 , , Washington Capitals , , 2 – 4 , , St. Pete Times Forum , , 18,891 , , 24-39-18 , , 66 , - align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 82 , , April 11 , , Atlanta Thrashers , , 2 – 6 , , Philips Arena , , 17,122 , , 24-40-18 , , 66 , - , -
Schedule

Record vs. Opponents

''Notes: * denotes division winner; teams in bold are in the Southeast Division; teams in'' italics ''qualified for the

playoffs The playoffs, play-offs, postseason or finals of a sports league are a competition played after the regular season by the top competitors to determine the league champion or a similar accolade. Depending on the league, the playoffs may be eithe ...

; points refer to the points achieved by the team whom the Thrashers played against'' = Member of the Atlantic Division
= Member of the Northeast Division
= Member of the Southeast Division
= Member of the Central Division
= Member of the Northeast Division
= Member of the Pacific Division

Playoffs

The Tampa Bay Lightning failed to qualify for the 2009 NHL playoffs.

Player stats

Skaters

Goaltenders

^†Denotes player spent time with another team before joining Lightning. Stats reflect season totals.
^‡Traded mid-season
Bold/italics denotes franchise record

Awards and records

Records

Milestones

Transactions

Trades

Free agents

Claimed from waivers

Draft picks

Tampa Bay entered the NHL Draft Lottery with a 48.8% chance of winning the lottery after stumbling to a 31–42–9 record in the regular season. The Lightning finished last in the league just four years after winning their first Stanley Cup. Tampa Bay's picks at the

2008 NHL entry draft The 2008 NHL entry draft was the 46th entry draft for the National Hockey League. It was hosted by the Ottawa Senators at Scotiabank Place in Ottawa, Ontario, on June 20–21, 2008. The Senators were originally awarded the 2005 NHL entry draft ...

Ottawa Ottawa is the capital city of Canada. It is located in the southern Ontario, southern portion of the province of Ontario, at the confluence of the Ottawa River and the Rideau River. Ottawa borders Gatineau, Gatineau, Quebec, and forms the cor ...

Ontario Ontario is the southernmost Provinces and territories of Canada, province of Canada. Located in Central Canada, Ontario is the Population of Canada by province and territory, country's most populous province. As of the 2021 Canadian census, it ...

Farm teams

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:2008-09 Tampa Bay Lightning Season Tampa Bay Lightning seasons T

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 ...