1997–98 Tampa Bay Lightning season

National Hockey League team season March 2026 August 2023 NHL 1997–98 1997 Tampa Bay Lightning 17–55–10 11–23–7 6–32–3 Eastern 13th Atlantic 7th 151 269 Phil Esposito Terry Crisp (Oct.) Rick Paterson (Oct.–Nov.) Jacques Demers (Nov.–Apr.) Paul Ysebaert (Oct.) Vacant (Oct.–Nov.) Mikael Renberg (Nov.–Apr.) Jamie Huscroft (Oct.–Mar.)Rob Zamuner Ice Palace 13,866 Adirondack Red WingsChesapeake Icebreakers Mikael Renberg (16)Alexander Selivanov (16) Paul Ysebaert (27) Paul Ysebaert (40) Louie DeBrusk (166) Jody Hull (+2) Mark Fitzpatrick (7) Daren Puppa (2.72) 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 for the first time since the 1993–94 season and the 1994–95 season. Regular season On October 26, head coach Terry Crisp was fired after a 2–7–2 start and Paul Ysebaert’s tenure as team captain ended.Jones Tom Crisp is out as Lightning coach https://www.tampabay.com/archive/1997/10/27/crisp-is-out-as-lightning-coach/ Tampa Bay Times July 3, 2023 October 27, 1997Buckley Tim Ysebaert: No letter, no worry https://www.tampabay.com/archive/1997/12/04/ysebaert-no-letter-no-worry/ Tampa Bay Times July 3, 2023 December 4, 1997 Assistant coach Rick Paterson served as interim head coach until Jacques Demers was hired as the team’s new head coach on November 12.Jones Tom Demers Takes His Shot https://www.tampabay.com/archive/1997/11/13/demers-takes-his-shot/ Tampa Bay Times July 3, 2023 November 13, 1997 Demers named Mikael Renberg the team’s new captain on November 19.Jones Tom Captain II: Renberg gets another chance https://www.tampabay.com/archive/1997/11/20/captain-ii-renberg-gets-another-chance/ Tampa Bay Times July 3, 2023 November 20, 1997 The Lightning struggled offensively during the regular season, being shut out a league-high 11 times (tied with the Chicago Blackhawks and the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim) 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; the Lightning’s percentage remains the lowest in a full, non-shortened NHL season.https://www.hockey-reference.com/leagues/NHL_1998.html 1997-98 NHL Summary Final standings TBL TBL Schedule and results background:#fff; border-top:#010101 5px solid; border-bottom:#003D7C 5px solid; 1997–98 regular season1997-98 Tampa Bay Lightning Schedule https://www.hockey-reference.com/teams/TBL/1998_games.html Hockey-Reference.com July 3, 2023 y background:#fff; border-top:#010101 2px solid; border-bottom:#003D7C 2px solid; October: 2–9–2 (home: 1–4–1; road: 1–5–1) Game Date Score Opponent Record Recap |- |1||October 1, 1997||4–2 || align="left"| Carolina Hurricanes (1997–98) ||1–0–0 || 1997020004 W |- |2||October 3, 1997||3–4 || align="left"| New Jersey Devils (1997–98) ||1–1–0 || 1997020016 L |- |3||October 5, 1997||1–1 OT|| align="left"| Buffalo Sabres (1997–98) ||1–1–1 || 1997020031 T |- |4||October 9, 1997||4–1 || align="left"| @ Chicago Blackhawks (1997–98) ||2–1–1 || 1997020046 W |- |5||October 10, 1997||0–3 || align="left"| @ Detroit Red Wings (1997–98) ||2–2–1 || 1997020052 L |- |6||October 15, 1997||1–2 || align="left"| @ Florida Panthers (1997–98) ||2–3–1 || 1997020078 L |- |7||October 17, 1997||1–4 || align="left"| Pittsburgh Penguins (1997–98) ||2–4–1 || 1997020088 L |- |8||October 18, 1997||0–5 || align="left"| @ New Jersey Devils (1997–98) ||2–5–1 || 1997020095 L |- |9||October 21, 1997||1–7 || align="left"| @ Philadelphia Flyers (1997–98) ||2–6–1 || 1997020109 L |- |10||October 23, 1997||2–2 OT|| align="left"| @ Boston Bruins (1997–98) ||2–6–2 || 1997020122 T |- |11||October 24, 1997||3–4 || align="left"| @ New York Rangers (1997–98) ||2–7–2 || 1997020129 L |- |12||October 26, 1997||1–3 || align="left"| Los Angeles Kings (1997–98) ||2–8–2 || 1997020142 L |- |13||October 29, 1997||2–5 || align="left"| Ottawa Senators (1997–98) ||2–9–2 || 1997020157 L |- y background:#fff; border-top:#010101 2px solid; border-bottom:#003D7C 2px solid; November: 2–8–2 (home: 2–1–2; road: 0–7–0) Game Date Score Opponent Record Recap |- |14||November 5, 1997||2–5 || align="left"| @ Mighty Ducks of Anaheim (1997–98) ||2–10–2 || 1997020198 L |- |15||November 6, 1997||2–5 || align="left"| @ Los Angeles Kings (1997–98) ||2–11–2 || 1997020204 L |- |16||November 8, 1997||1–3 || align="left"| @ San Jose Sharks (1997–98) ||2–12–2 || 1997020218 L |- |17||November 11, 1997||2–5 || align="left"| @ Phoenix Coyotes (1997–98) ||2–13–2 || 1997020231 L |- |18||November 14, 1997||1–4 || align="left"| New York Islanders (1997–98) ||2–14–2 || 1997020250 L |- |19||November 16, 1997||2–3 || align="left"| @ Philadelphia Flyers (1997–98) ||2–15–2 || 1997020263 L |- |20||November 17, 1997||1–4 || align="left"| @ Montreal Canadiens (1997–98) ||2–16–2 || 1997020268 L |- |21||November 19, 1997||6–3 || align="left"| New York Rangers (1997–98) ||3–16–2 || 1997020277 W |- |22||November 22, 1997||4–3 || align="left"| Calgary Flames (1997–98) ||4–16–2 || 1997020300 W |- |23||November 26, 1997||3–3 OT|| align="left"| Colorado Avalanche (1997–98) ||4–16–3 || 1997020318 T |- |24||November 28, 1997||0–2 || align="left"| @ Carolina Hurricanes (1997–98) ||4–17–3 || 1997020328 L |- |25||November 29, 1997||3–3 OT|| align="left"| Philadelphia Flyers (1997–98) ||4–17–4 || 1997020340 T |- y background:#fff; border-top:#010101 2px solid; border-bottom:#003D7C 2px solid; December: 5–6–3 (home: 4–1–2; road: 1–5–1) Game Date Score Opponent Record Recap |- |26||December 3, 1997||2–1 || align="left"| Phoenix Coyotes (1997–98) ||5–17–4 || 1997020362 W |- |27||December 5, 1997||0–4 || align="left"| @ Buffalo Sabres (1997–98) ||5–18–4 || 1997020371 L |- |28||December 6, 1997||2–4 || align="left"| @ New Jersey Devils (1997–98) ||5–19–4 || 1997020381 L |- |29||December 10, 1997||0–3 || align="left"| @ Dallas Stars (1997–98) ||5–20–4 || 1997020400 L |- |30||December 13, 1997||3–1 || align="left"| @ Ottawa Senators (1997–98) ||6–20–4 || 1997020416 W |- |31||December 14, 1997||0–3 || align="left"| @ Philadelphia Flyers (1997–98) ||6–21–4 || 1997020422 L |- |32||December 16, 1997||1–1 OT|| align="left"| @ Pittsburgh Penguins (1997–98) ||6–21–5 || 1997020432 T |- |33||December 17, 1997||2–0 || align="left"| Boston Bruins (1997–98) ||7–21–5 || 1997020438 W |- |34||December 20, 1997||2–2 OT|| align="left"| New York Rangers (1997–98) ||7–21–6 || 1997020459 T |- |35||December 22, 1997||2–2 OT|| align="left"| St. Louis Blues (1997–98) ||7–21–7 || 1997020470 T |- |36||December 23, 1997||1–4 || align="left"| @ New York Rangers (1997–98) ||7–22–7 || 1997020475 L |- |37||December 27, 1997||1–3 || align="left"| Boston Bruins (1997–98) ||7–23–7 || 1997020494 L |- |38||December 29, 1997||2–1 || align="left"| San Jose Sharks (1997–98) ||8–23–7 || 1997020506 W |- |39||December 31, 1997||2–0 || align="left"| New York Rangers (1997–98) ||9–23–7 || 1997020517 W |- y background:#fff; border-top:#010101 2px solid; border-bottom:#003D7C 2px solid; January: 0–12–1 (home: 0–7–1; road: 0–5–0) Game Date Score Opponent Record Recap |- |40||January 2, 1998||2–2 OT|| align="left"| Florida Panthers (1997–98) ||9–23–8 || 1997020530 T |- |41||January 3, 1998||1–4 || align="left"| Mighty Ducks of Anaheim (1997–98) ||9–24–8 || 1997020540 L |- |42||January 7, 1998||2–5 || align="left"| Toronto Maple Leafs (1997–98) ||9–25–8 || 1997020559 L |- |43||January 9, 1998||1–4 || align="left"| @ New Jersey Devils (1997–98) ||9–26–8 || 1997020570 L |- |44||January 11, 1998||2–5 || align="left"| Philadelphia Flyers (1997–98) ||9–27–8 || 1997020585 L |- |45||January 12, 1998||3–6 || align="left"| Montreal Canadiens (1997–98) ||9–28–8 || 1997020593 L |- |46||January 14, 1998||1–7 || align="left"| New York Islanders (1997–98) ||9–29–8 || 1997020604 L |- |47||January 21, 1998||2–3 OT|| align="left"| Washington Capitals (1997–98) ||9–30–8 || 1997020624 L |- |48||January 23, 1998||1–4 || align="left"| @ Buffalo Sabres (1997–98) ||9–31–8 || 1997020637 L |- |49||January 24, 1998||2–5 || align="left"| @ Toronto Maple Leafs (1997–98) ||9–32–8 || 1997020643 L |- |50||January 26, 1998||1–2 || align="left"| @ Ottawa Senators (1997–98) ||9–33–8 || 1997020654 L |- |51||January 28, 1998||2–3 || align="left"| Carolina Hurricanes (1997–98) ||9–34–8 || 1997020666 L |- |52||January 31, 1998||0–2 || align="left"| @ Florida Panthers (1997–98) ||9–35–8 || 1997020685 L |- y background:#fff; border-top:#010101 2px solid; border-bottom:#003D7C 2px solid; February: 3–3–1 (home: 1–3–0; road: 2–0–1) Game Date Score Opponent Record Recap |- |53||February 2, 1998||3–7 || align="left"| Buffalo Sabres (1997–98) ||9–36–8 || 1997020699 L |- |54||February 4, 1998||3–3 OT|| align="left"| @ Carolina Hurricanes (1997–98) ||9–36–9 || 1997020707 T |- |55||February 5, 1998||4–5 || align="left"| Detroit Red Wings (1997–98) ||9–37–9 || 1997020718 L |- |56||February 7, 1998||4–3 || align="left"| @ Washington Capitals (1997–98) ||10–37–9 || 1997020729 W |- |57||February 25, 1998||4–3 || align="left"| @ Washington Capitals (1997–98) ||11–37–9 || 1997020741 W |- |58||February 26, 1998||1–4 || align="left"| New Jersey Devils (1997–98) ||11–38–9 || 1997020748 L |- |59||February 28, 1998||5–2 || align="left"| Washington Capitals (1997–98) ||12–38–9 || 1997020759 W |- y background:#fff; border-top:#010101 2px solid; border-bottom:#003D7C 2px solid; March: 5–8–0 (home: 3–2–0; road: 2–6–0) Game Date Score Opponent Record Recap |- |60||March 3, 1998||1–2 || align="left"| @ Calgary Flames (1997–98) ||12–39–9 || 1997020781 L |- |61||March 4, 1998||2–4 || align="left"| @ Edmonton Oilers (1997–98) ||12–40–9 || 1997020785 L |- |62||March 7, 1998||2–5 || align="left"| @ Vancouver Canucks (1997–98) ||12–41–9 || 1997020807 L |- |63||March 9, 1998||2–1 || align="left"| @ Colorado Avalanche (1997–98) ||13–41–9 || 1997020816 W |- |64||March 11, 1998||0–2 || align="left"| Edmonton Oilers (1997–98) ||13–42–9 || 1997020828 L |- |65||March 14, 1998||1–0 || align="left"| Chicago Blackhawks (1997–98) ||14–42–9 || 1997020848 W |- |66||March 16, 1998||3–4 OT|| align="left"| @ Boston Bruins (1997–98) ||14–43–9 || 1997020856 L |- |67||March 18, 1998||4–2 || align="left"| Vancouver Canucks (1997–98) ||15–43–9 || 1997020871 W |- |68||March 21, 1998||5–1 || align="left"| Florida Panthers (1997–98) ||16–43–9 || 1997020888 W |- |69||March 25, 1998||1–2 OT|| align="left"| Montreal Canadiens (1997–98) ||16–44–9 || 1997020908 L |- |70||March 26, 1998||2–3 || align="left"| @ St. Louis Blues (1997–98) ||16–45–9 || 1997020916 L |- |71||March 28, 1998||2–8 || align="left"| @ Montreal Canadiens (1997–98) ||16–46–9 || 1997020926 L |- |72||March 30, 1998||3–1 || align="left"| @ New York Rangers (1997–98) ||17–46–9 || 1997020941 W |- y background:#fff; border-top:#010101 2px solid; border-bottom:#003D7C 2px solid; April: 0–9–1 (home: 0–5–1; road: 0–4–0) Game Date Score Opponent Record Recap |- |73||April 1, 1998||0–4 || align="left"| @ New York Islanders (1997–98) ||17–47–9 || 1997020950 L |- |74||April 2, 1998||1–4 || align="left"| @ Washington Capitals (1997–98) ||17–48–9 || 1997020961 L |- |75||April 4, 1998||1–4 || align="left"| Pittsburgh Penguins (1997–98) ||17–49–9 || 1997020971 L |- |76||April 6, 1998||0–3 || align="left"| New York Islanders (1997–98) ||17–50–9 || 1997020983 L |- |77||April 8, 1998||1–6 || align="left"| Philadelphia Flyers (1997–98) ||17–51–9 || 1997020995 L |- |78||April 11, 1998||1–5 || align="left"| Dallas Stars (1997–98) ||17–52–9 || 1997021013 L |- |79||April 13, 1998||2–3 || align="left"| Ottawa Senators (1997–98) ||17–53–9 || 1997021026 L |- |80||April 15, 1998||1–5 || align="left"| @ Pittsburgh Penguins (1997–98) ||17–54–9 || 1997021032 L |- |81||April 16, 1998||0–4 || align="left"| @ New York Islanders (1997–98) ||17–55–9 || 1997021043 L |- |82||April 18, 1998||2–2 OT|| align="left"| Florida Panthers (1997–98) ||17–55–10 || 1997021055 T |- |- | Legend: #cfc Win (2 points) 1px solid black W #fcc Loss (0 points) 1px solid black L #ffc Tie (1 point) 1px solid black T Player statistics Scoring Position abbreviations: C = Center; D = Defense; G = Goaltender; LW = Left wing; RW = Right wing = 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. No. Jersey number Player Pos Position Regular season GP Games played G Goals A Assists Pts Points +/- Plus/minus PIM Penalties in minutes 15 Paul Ysebaert C 82 13 27 40 −43 32 20 Mikael Renberg RW 68 16 22 38 −37 34 29 Alexander Selivanov RW 70 16 19 35 −38 85 7 Rob Zamuner LW 77 14 12 26 −31 41 18 Daymond Langkow C 68 8 14 22 −9 62 44 Stephane Richer Stéphane Richer (ice hockey forward) RW 26 9 11 20 −7 36 22 Dino Ciccarelli RW 34 11 6 17 −14 42 24 Jason Wiemer C 67 8 9 17 −9 132 34 Mikael Andersson ice hockey, born 1966 LW 72 6 11 17 −4 29 44 Roman Hamrlik Roman Hamrlík D 37 3 12 15 −18 22 16 Darcy Tucker RW 35 6 8 14 −8 89 14 Karl Dykhuis D 78 5 9 14 −8 110 6 Jeff Norton D 37 4 6 10 −25 26 64 Jason Bonsignore C 35 2 8 10 −11 22 4 Cory Cross D 74 3 6 9 −24 77 28 Patrick Poulin C 44 2 7 9 −3 19 5 Igor Ulanov D 45 2 7 9 −5 85 33 Yves Racine D 60 0 8 8 −23 41 19 Brian Bradley ice hockey, born 1965 C 14 2 5 7 −9 6 21 Jody Hull RW 28 2 4 6 2 4 23 Bryan Marchment D 22 2 4 6 −3 43 79 Vladimir Vujtek Vladimír Vůjtek LW 30 2 4 6 −2 16 6 David Wilkie ice hockey D 29 1 5 6 −21 17 17 Brent Peterson ice hockey, born 1972 LW 19 5 0 5 −2 2 10 Sandy McCarthy RW 14 0 5 5 −1 71 11 Steve Kelly C 24 2 1 3 −9 15 5 Jassen Cullimore D 25 1 2 3 −4 22 36 Louie DeBrusk LW 54 1 2 3 −2 166 3 Pavel Kubina D 10 1 2 3 −1 22 9 Jeff Toms C 13 1 2 3 −6 7 8 Jamie Huscroft D 44 0 3 3 −4 122 62 Andrei Nazarov LW 14 1 1 2 −9 58 10 Paul Brousseau RW 11 0 2 2 0 27 27 David Shaw ice hockey D 14 0 2 2 −2 12 28 Corey Spring RW 8 1 0 1 −1 10 21 Mick Vukota RW 42 1 0 1 0 116 30 Mark Fitzpatrick G 34 0 1 1 14 2 Mike McBain D 27 0 1 1 −10 8 1 Zac Bierk G 13 0 0 0 0 39 Enrico Ciccone D 12 0 0 0 −3 45 25 Allan Egeland C 8 0 0 0 0 9 16 Troy Mallette LW 3 0 0 0 0 7 93 Daren Puppa G 26 0 0 0 6 32 Corey Schwab G 16 0 0 0 2 35 Derek Wilkinson ice hockey G 8 0 0 0 0 Goaltending = Joined team via a transaction (e.g., trade, waivers, signing) during the season. Stats reflect time with the Lightning only. No. Jersey number Player Regular season GP Games played W Wins L Losses T Ties SA Shots against GA Goals against GAA Goals against average SV% Save percentage SO Shutouts TOI Time on ice 30 Mark Fitzpatrick 34 7 24 1 975 102 3.16 .895 1 1938 93 Daren Puppa 26 5 14 6 660 66 2.72 .900 0 1456 32 Corey Schwab 16 2 9 1 370 40 2.92 .892 1 821 35 Derek Wilkinson ice hockey 8 2 4 1 148 17 3.28 .885 0 311 1 Zac Bierk 13 1 4 1 210 30 4.16 .857 0 433 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.TBL Records: Longest Losing Streaks, Season https://records.nhl.com/tbl/records/team-records/losing-streaks/longest-losing-streak-one-season records.nhl.com July 8, 2023TBL Records: Longest Winless Streaks, Season https://records.nhl.com/tbl/records/team-records/winless-streaks/longest-winless-streak-one-season records.nhl.com July 8, 2023 Milestones MilestonePlayerDateRef First game Zac Bierk January 3, 19981997-98 NHL Debuts https://www.hockey-reference.com/leagues/NHL_1998_debut.html Hockey-Reference.com October 8, 2024 Mike McBain January 21, 1998 Pavel Kubina March 14, 1998 Corey Spring Draft picks Tampa Bay's draft picks at the 1997 NHL entry draft held at the Civic Arena in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.1997 NHL Entry Draft Picks at hockeydb.com https://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/draft/nhl1997e.html www.hockeydb.com July 9, 2023 Round # Player Nationality College/Junior/Club team (League)17Paul MaraSudbury Wolves (OHL)233Kyle KosRed Deer Rebels (WHL)361Matt ElichWindsor Spitfires (OHL)5108Mark ThompsonRegina Pats (WHL)5109Jan SulcHC Chemopetrol Jr. (Czech Republic)5112Karel BetikKelowna Rockets (WHL)6153Andrei SkopintsevTPS (Finland)7168Justin JackKelowna Rockets (WHL)7170Eero SomervuoriJokerit (Finland)7185Samuel St. PierreVictoriaville Tigres (QMJHL)8198Shawn SkolneySeattle Thunderbirds (WHL)9224Paul ComrieUniversity of Denver (WCHA) See also 1997–98 NHL season References Tampa Bay Lightning 1997-98 roster and scoring statistics at hockeydb.com https://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/leagues/seasons/teams/0000551998.html www.hockeydb.com July 3, 2023 1997-98 Tampa Bay Lightning Roster, Stats, Injuries, Scores, Results, Shootouts https://www.hockey-reference.com/teams/TBL/1998.html Hockey-Reference.com July 3, 2023 T Category:Tampa Bay Lightning seasons Tamp Tamp Category:1990s in Tampa, Florida