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 was fired after a 2–7–2 start and Paul Ysebaert’s tenure as team captain ended. Assistant coach Rick Paterson served as interim head coach until Jacques Demers 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 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.

Final standings

Schedule and results

|- align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" 
|1||W||October 1, 1997||4–2 || align="left"|  Carolina Hurricanes (1997–98) ||1–0–0 || 
|- align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB"
|2||L||October 3, 1997||3–4 || align="left"|  New Jersey Devils (1997–98) ||1–1–0 || 
|- align="center" 
|3||T||October 5, 1997||1–1 OT|| align="left"|  Buffalo Sabres (1997–98) ||1–1–1 || 
|- align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" 
|4||W||October 9, 1997||4–1 || align="left"| @ Chicago Blackhawks (1997–98) ||2–1–1 || 
|- align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB"
|5||L||October 10, 1997||0–3 || align="left"| @ Detroit Red Wings (1997–98) ||2–2–1 || 
|- align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB"
|6||L||October 15, 1997||1–2 || align="left"| @ Florida Panthers (1997–98) ||2–3–1 || 
|- align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB"
|7||L||October 17, 1997||1–4 || align="left"|  Pittsburgh Penguins (1997–98) ||2–4–1 || 
|- align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB"
|8||L||October 18, 1997||0–5 || align="left"| @ New Jersey Devils (1997–98) ||2–5–1 || 
|- align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB"
|9||L||October 21, 1997||1–7 || align="left"| @ Philadelphia Flyers (1997–98) ||2–6–1 || 
|- align="center" 
|10||T||October 23, 1997||2–2 OT|| align="left"| @ Boston Bruins (1997–98) ||2–6–2 || 
|- align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB"
|11||L||October 24, 1997||3–4 || align="left"| @ New York Rangers (1997–98) ||2–7–2 || 
|- align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB"
|12||L||October 26, 1997||1–3 || align="left"|  Los Angeles Kings (1997–98) ||2–8–2 || 
|- align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB"
|13||L||October 29, 1997||2–5 || align="left"|  Ottawa Senators (1997–98) ||2–9–2 || 
|-

|- align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB"
|14||L||November 5, 1997||2–5 || align="left"| @ Mighty Ducks of Anaheim (1997–98) ||2–10–2 || 
|- align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB"
|15||L||November 6, 1997||2–5 || align="left"| @ Los Angeles Kings (1997–98) ||2–11–2 || 
|- align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB"
|16||L||November 8, 1997||1–3 || align="left"| @ San Jose Sharks (1997–98) ||2–12–2 || 
|- align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB"
|17||L||November 11, 1997||2–5 || align="left"| @ Phoenix Coyotes (1997–98) ||2–13–2 || 
|- align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB"
|18||L||November 14, 1997||1–4 || align="left"|  New York Islanders (1997–98) ||2–14–2 || 
|- align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB"
|19||L||November 16, 1997||2–3 || align="left"| @ Philadelphia Flyers (1997–98) ||2–15–2 || 
|- align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB"
|20||L||November 17, 1997||1–4 || align="left"| @ Montreal Canadiens (1997–98) ||2–16–2 || 
|- align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" 
|21||W||November 19, 1997||6–3 || align="left"|  New York Rangers (1997–98) ||3–16–2 || 
|- align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" 
|22||W||November 22, 1997||4–3 || align="left"|  Calgary Flames (1997–98) ||4–16–2 || 
|- align="center" 
|23||T||November 26, 1997||3–3 OT|| align="left"|  Colorado Avalanche (1997–98) ||4–16–3 || 
|- align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB"
|24||L||November 28, 1997||0–2 || align="left"| @ Carolina Hurricanes (1997–98) ||4–17–3 || 
|- align="center" 
|25||T||November 29, 1997||3–3 OT|| align="left"|  Philadelphia Flyers (1997–98) ||4–17–4 || 
|-

|- align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" 
|26||W||December 3, 1997||2–1 || align="left"|  Phoenix Coyotes (1997–98) ||5–17–4 || 
|- align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB"
|27||L||December 5, 1997||0–4 || align="left"| @ Buffalo Sabres (1997–98) ||5–18–4 || 
|- align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB"
|28||L||December 6, 1997||2–4 || align="left"| @ New Jersey Devils (1997–98) ||5–19–4 || 
|- align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB"
|29||L||December 10, 1997||0–3 || align="left"| @ Dallas Stars (1997–98) ||5–20–4 || 
|- align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" 
|30||W||December 13, 1997||3–1 || align="left"| @ Ottawa Senators (1997–98) ||6–20–4 || 
|- align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB"
|31||L||December 14, 1997||0–3 || align="left"| @ Philadelphia Flyers (1997–98) ||6–21–4 || 
|- align="center" 
|32||T||December 16, 1997||1–1 OT|| align="left"| @ Pittsburgh Penguins (1997–98) ||6–21–5 || 
|- align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" 
|33||W||December 17, 1997||2–0 || align="left"|  Boston Bruins (1997–98) ||7–21–5 || 
|- align="center" 
|34||T||December 20, 1997||2–2 OT|| align="left"|  New York Rangers (1997–98) ||7–21–6 || 
|- align="center" 
|35||T||December 22, 1997||2–2 OT|| align="left"|  St. Louis Blues (1997–98) ||7–21–7 || 
|- align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB"
|36||L||December 23, 1997||1–4 || align="left"| @ New York Rangers (1997–98) ||7–22–7 || 
|- align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB"
|37||L||December 27, 1997||1–3 || align="left"|  Boston Bruins (1997–98) ||7–23–7 || 
|- align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" 
|38||W||December 29, 1997||2–1 || align="left"|  San Jose Sharks (1997–98) ||8–23–7 || 
|- align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" 
|39||W||December 31, 1997||2–0 || align="left"|  New York Rangers (1997–98) ||9–23–7 || 
|-

|- align="center" 
|40||T||January 2, 1998||2–2 OT|| align="left"|  Florida Panthers (1997–98) ||9–23–8 || 
|- align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB"
|41||L||January 3, 1998||1–4 || align="left"|  Mighty Ducks of Anaheim (1997–98) ||9–24–8 || 
|- align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB"
|42||L||January 7, 1998||2–5 || align="left"|  Toronto Maple Leafs (1997–98) ||9–25–8 || 
|- align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB"
|43||L||January 9, 1998||1–4 || align="left"| @ New Jersey Devils (1997–98) ||9–26–8 || 
|- align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB"
|44||L||January 11, 1998||2–5 || align="left"|  Philadelphia Flyers (1997–98) ||9–27–8 || 
|- align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB"
|45||L||January 12, 1998||3–6 || align="left"|  Montreal Canadiens (1997–98) ||9–28–8 || 
|- align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB"
|46||L||January 14, 1998||1–7 || align="left"|  New York Islanders (1997–98) ||9–29–8 || 
|- align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB"
|47||L||January 21, 1998||2–3 OT|| align="left"|  Washington Capitals (1997–98) ||9–30–8 || 
|- align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB"
|48||L||January 23, 1998||1–4 || align="left"| @ Buffalo Sabres (1997–98) ||9–31–8 || 
|- align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB"
|49||L||January 24, 1998||2–5 || align="left"| @ Toronto Maple Leafs (1997–98) ||9–32–8 || 
|- align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB"
|50||L||January 26, 1998||1–2 || align="left"| @ Ottawa Senators (1997–98) ||9–33–8 || 
|- align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB"
|51||L||January 28, 1998||2–3 || align="left"|  Carolina Hurricanes (1997–98) ||9–34–8 || 
|- align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB"
|52||L||January 31, 1998||0–2 || align="left"| @ Florida Panthers (1997–98) ||9–35–8 || 
|-

|- align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB"
|53||L||February 2, 1998||3–7 || align="left"|  Buffalo Sabres (1997–98) ||9–36–8 || 
|- align="center" 
|54||T||February 4, 1998||3–3 OT|| align="left"| @ Carolina Hurricanes (1997–98) ||9–36–9 || 
|- align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB"
|55||L||February 5, 1998||4–5 || align="left"|  Detroit Red Wings (1997–98) ||9–37–9 || 
|- align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" 
|56||W||February 7, 1998||4–3 || align="left"| @ Washington Capitals (1997–98) ||10–37–9 || 
|- align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" 
|57||W||February 25, 1998||4–3 || align="left"| @ Washington Capitals (1997–98) ||11–37–9 || 
|- align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB"
|58||L||February 26, 1998||1–4 || align="left"|  New Jersey Devils (1997–98) ||11–38–9 || 
|- align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" 
|59||W||February 28, 1998||5–2 || align="left"|  Washington Capitals (1997–98) ||12–38–9 || 
|-

|- align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB"
|60||L||March 3, 1998||1–2 || align="left"| @ Calgary Flames (1997–98) ||12–39–9 || 
|- align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB"
|61||L||March 4, 1998||2–4 || align="left"| @ Edmonton Oilers (1997–98) ||12–40–9 || 
|- align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB"
|62||L||March 7, 1998||2–5 || align="left"| @ Vancouver Canucks (1997–98) ||12–41–9 || 
|- align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" 
|63||W||March 9, 1998||2–1 || align="left"| @ Colorado Avalanche (1997–98) ||13–41–9 || 
|- align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB"
|64||L||March 11, 1998||0–2 || align="left"|  Edmonton Oilers (1997–98) ||13–42–9 || 
|- align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" 
|65||W||March 14, 1998||1–0 || align="left"|  Chicago Blackhawks (1997–98) ||14–42–9 || 
|- align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB"
|66||L||March 16, 1998||3–4 OT|| align="left"| @ Boston Bruins (1997–98) ||14–43–9 || 
|- align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" 
|67||W||March 18, 1998||4–2 || align="left"|  Vancouver Canucks (1997–98) ||15–43–9 || 
|- align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" 
|68||W||March 21, 1998||5–1 || align="left"|  Florida Panthers (1997–98) ||16–43–9 || 
|- align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB"
|69||L||March 25, 1998||1–2 OT|| align="left"|  Montreal Canadiens (1997–98) ||16–44–9 || 
|- align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB"
|70||L||March 26, 1998||2–3 || align="left"| @ St. Louis Blues (1997–98) ||16–45–9 || 
|- align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB"
|71||L||March 28, 1998||2–8 || align="left"| @ Montreal Canadiens (1997–98) ||16–46–9 || 
|- align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" 
|72||W||March 30, 1998||3–1 || align="left"| @ New York Rangers (1997–98) ||17–46–9 || 
|-

|- align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB"
|73||L||April 1, 1998||0–4 || align="left"| @ New York Islanders (1997–98) ||17–47–9 || 
|- align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB"
|74||L||April 2, 1998||1–4 || align="left"| @ Washington Capitals (1997–98) ||17–48–9 || 
|- align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB"
|75||L||April 4, 1998||1–4 || align="left"|  Pittsburgh Penguins (1997–98) ||17–49–9 || 
|- align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB"
|76||L||April 6, 1998||0–3 || align="left"|  New York Islanders (1997–98) ||17–50–9 || 
|- align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB"
|77||L||April 8, 1998||1–6 || align="left"|  Philadelphia Flyers (1997–98) ||17–51–9 || 
|- align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB"
|78||L||April 11, 1998||1–5 || align="left"|  Dallas Stars (1997–98) ||17–52–9 || 
|- align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB"
|79||L||April 13, 1998||2–3 || align="left"|  Ottawa Senators (1997–98) ||17–53–9 || 
|- align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB"
|80||L||April 15, 1998||1–5 || align="left"| @ Pittsburgh Penguins (1997–98) ||17–54–9 || 
|- align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB"
|81||L||April 16, 1998||0–4 || align="left"| @ New York Islanders (1997–98) ||17–55–9 || 
|- align="center" 
|82||T||April 18, 1998||2–2 OT|| align="left"|  Florida Panthers (1997–98) ||17–55–10 || 
|-

|-
| Legend:

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.

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.

Transactions

Draft picks
Tampa Bay's draft picks at the 1997 NHL Entry Draft held at the Civic Arena in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

See also
1997–98 NHL season

References

T
T
Tampa Bay Lightning seasons
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