2011 - 12 Tampa Bay Lightning season The 2011 – 12 Tampa Bay Lightning season was the franchise ’ s 19th season in the National Hockey League ( NHL ) . The Lightning had a brand new logo and jerseys beginning this season . Offseason . Among the Lightning ' s offseason deals , they re - signed their first overall pick from 2008 , Steven Stamkos to a five - year contract . They also brought back goaltender Dwayne Roloson with a one - year deal , having acquired him in a trade during the previous season . The team ' s home arena , the St . Pete Times Forum underwent a $ 35 million renovation that saw additions that included a digital pipe organ and Tesla coils on either side of the main scoreboard that shoot lightning 25 feet . Regular season . The Lightning opened the season on the road against the Carolina Hurricanes on October 7 . Their first home game was October 17 against the Florida Panthers . In October , the Lightning earned 12 points after going 5 – 4 – 2 , which put them in 8th place in the Eastern Conference , and 3rd place in the Southeast Division . Steven Stamkos led the team in goals with six , while Marc - Andre Bergeron led the team in points with twelve . Victor Hedman the second - overall pick in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft , was signed to a five - year contract extension worth $ 20 million . As in October , the Lightning earned 12 points in November with a 6 – 7 – 0 record for the month , making their overall record 11 – 11 – 2 . They remained in 3rd place in their division , while falling to 11th in the Eastern Conference . Stamkos continued to lead the team in goals with 16 , and also overtook the points lead with 26 . Martin St . Louis was injured during a morning practice on December 8 . That night he was expected to play in his 500th consectutive game . St . Louis took a puck to the face from a backhanded shot attempt from a teammate . After being evaluated , St . Louis was reported to have suffered facial and nasal fractures , and was ruled to be out indefinitely . He would return to the ice on December 21 , sporting a full metal cage attached his helmet . The Lightning began December with only one win in six games , but rebounded to earn points in six of the last seven games of the month , giving them a 6 – 6 – 1 record in December . Their 17 – 17 – 3 record dropped them to 4th in the division and 12th in the conference . Stamkos ended the month with 43 points , and his 26 goals not only led the team , but led the entire league . Playoffs . The Lightning failed to qualify for the 2012 NHL playoffs . Player stats . Skaters . " Note : GP = Games played ; G = Goals ; A = Assists ; Pts = Points ; + / − = Plus / Minus ; PIM = Penalty Minutes " Goaltenders . " Note : GP = Games Played ; TOI = Time On Ice ( minutes ) ; W = Wins ; L = Losses ; OT = Overtime Losses ; GA = Goals Against ; GAA = Goals Against Average ; SA = Shots Against ; SV = Saves ; Sv % = Save Percentage ; SO = Shutouts " Denotes player spent time with another team before joining Lightning . Stats reflect time with Lightning only . Traded mid - season Bold / italics denotes franchise record Final roster . < br > Transactions . The Lightning have been involved in the following transactions during the 2011 – 12 season . Draft picks . Tampa Bay ' s selections at the 2011 NHL Entry Draft .