1997–98 Tampa Bay Lightning season

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.

1997–98 Tampa Bay Lightning
Division7th Atlantic
Conference13th Eastern
1997–98 record17–55–10
Home record11–23–7
Road record6–32–3
Goals for151
Goals against269
Team information
General managerPhil Esposito
CoachTerry Crisp (Oct)
Rick Paterson (Oct–Nov)
Jacques Demers (Nov–Apr)
CaptainPaul Ysebaert (Oct)
Mikael Renberg (Nov–Apr)
Alternate captainsJamie Huscroft (Oct–Mar)
Rob Zamuner
ArenaIce Palace
Average attendance13,866
Minor league affiliate(s)Adirondack Red Wings
Chesapeake Icebreakers
Team leaders
GoalsMikael Renberg (16)
Alexander Selivanov (16)
AssistsPaul Ysebaert (27)
PointsPaul Ysebaert (40)
Penalty minutesLouie DeBrusk (166)
Plus/minusJody Hull (+2)
WinsMark Fitzpatrick (7)
Goals against averageDaren Puppa (2.72)

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.[1][2] Assistant coach Rick Paterson served as interim head coach until Jacques Demers was hired as the team’s new head coach on November 12.[3] Demers named Mikael Renberg the team’s new captain on November 19.[4]

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.[5]

Final standings
Atlantic Division
No. GP W L T GF GA Pts
1New Jersey Devils82482311225166107
2Philadelphia Flyers8242291124219395
3Washington Capitals8240301221920292
4New York Islanders8230411121222571
5New York Rangers8225391819723168
6Florida Panthers8224431520325663
7Tampa Bay Lightning8217551015126944
Eastern Conference[6]
R Div GP W L T GF GA Pts
1New Jersey DevilsATL82482311225166107
2Pittsburgh PenguinsNE8240241822818898
3Philadelphia FlyersATL8242291124219395
4Washington CapitalsATL8240301221920292
5Boston BruinsNE8239301322119491
6Buffalo SabresNE8236291721118789
7Montreal CanadiensNE8237321323520887
8Ottawa SenatorsNE8234331519320083
9Carolina HurricanesNE823341820021974
10New York IslandersATL8230411121222571
11New York RangersATL8225391819723168
12Florida PanthersATL8224431520325663
13Tampa Bay LightningATL8217551015126944

Divisions: ATL – Atlantic, NE – Northeast

bold – Qualified for playoffs

Schedule and results
1997–98 regular season[7]
October: 2–9–2 (home: 1–4–1; road: 1–5–1)
GameResultDateScoreOpponentRecordRecap
1WOctober 1, 19974–2Carolina Hurricanes (1997–98)1–0–0Recap
2LOctober 3, 19973–4New Jersey Devils (1997–98)1–1–0Recap
3TOctober 5, 19971–1 OTBuffalo Sabres (1997–98)1–1–1Recap
4WOctober 9, 19974–1@ Chicago Blackhawks (1997–98)2–1–1Recap
5LOctober 10, 19970–3@ Detroit Red Wings (1997–98)2–2–1Recap
6LOctober 15, 19971–2@ Florida Panthers (1997–98)2–3–1Recap
7LOctober 17, 19971–4Pittsburgh Penguins (1997–98)2–4–1Recap
8LOctober 18, 19970–5@ New Jersey Devils (1997–98)2–5–1Recap
9LOctober 21, 19971–7@ Philadelphia Flyers (1997–98)2–6–1Recap
10TOctober 23, 19972–2 OT@ Boston Bruins (1997–98)2–6–2Recap
11LOctober 24, 19973–4@ New York Rangers (1997–98)2–7–2Recap
12LOctober 26, 19971–3Los Angeles Kings (1997–98)2–8–2Recap
13LOctober 29, 19972–5Ottawa Senators (1997–98)2–9–2Recap
November: 2–8–2 (home: 2–1–2; road: 0–7–0)
GameResultDateScoreOpponentRecordRecap
14LNovember 5, 19972–5@ Mighty Ducks of Anaheim (1997–98)2–10–2Recap
15LNovember 6, 19972–5@ Los Angeles Kings (1997–98)2–11–2Recap
16LNovember 8, 19971–3@ San Jose Sharks (1997–98)2–12–2Recap
17LNovember 11, 19972–5@ Phoenix Coyotes (1997–98)2–13–2Recap
18LNovember 14, 19971–4New York Islanders (1997–98)2–14–2Recap
19LNovember 16, 19972–3@ Philadelphia Flyers (1997–98)2–15–2Recap
20LNovember 17, 19971–4@ Montreal Canadiens (1997–98)2–16–2Recap
21WNovember 19, 19976–3New York Rangers (1997–98)3–16–2Recap
22WNovember 22, 19974–3Calgary Flames (1997–98)4–16–2Recap
23TNovember 26, 19973–3 OTColorado Avalanche (1997–98)4–16–3Recap
24LNovember 28, 19970–2@ Carolina Hurricanes (1997–98)4–17–3Recap
25TNovember 29, 19973–3 OTPhiladelphia Flyers (1997–98)4–17–4Recap
December: 5–6–3 (home: 4–1–2; road: 1–5–1)
GameResultDateScoreOpponentRecordRecap
26WDecember 3, 19972–1Phoenix Coyotes (1997–98)5–17–4Recap
27LDecember 5, 19970–4@ Buffalo Sabres (1997–98)5–18–4Recap
28LDecember 6, 19972–4@ New Jersey Devils (1997–98)5–19–4Recap
29LDecember 10, 19970–3@ Dallas Stars (1997–98)5–20–4Recap
30WDecember 13, 19973–1@ Ottawa Senators (1997–98)6–20–4Recap
31LDecember 14, 19970–3@ Philadelphia Flyers (1997–98)6–21–4Recap
32TDecember 16, 19971–1 OT@ Pittsburgh Penguins (1997–98)6–21–5Recap
33WDecember 17, 19972–0Boston Bruins (1997–98)7–21–5Recap
34TDecember 20, 19972–2 OTNew York Rangers (1997–98)7–21–6Recap
35TDecember 22, 19972–2 OTSt. Louis Blues (1997–98)7–21–7Recap
36LDecember 23, 19971–4@ New York Rangers (1997–98)7–22–7Recap
37LDecember 27, 19971–3Boston Bruins (1997–98)7–23–7Recap
38WDecember 29, 19972–1San Jose Sharks (1997–98)8–23–7Recap
39WDecember 31, 19972–0New York Rangers (1997–98)9–23–7Recap
January: 0–12–1 (home: 0–7–1; road: 0–5–0)
GameResultDateScoreOpponentRecordRecap
40TJanuary 2, 19982–2 OTFlorida Panthers (1997–98)9–23–8Recap
41LJanuary 3, 19981–4Mighty Ducks of Anaheim (1997–98)9–24–8Recap
42LJanuary 7, 19982–5Toronto Maple Leafs (1997–98)9–25–8Recap
43LJanuary 9, 19981–4@ New Jersey Devils (1997–98)9–26–8Recap
44LJanuary 11, 19982–5Philadelphia Flyers (1997–98)9–27–8Recap
45LJanuary 12, 19983–6Montreal Canadiens (1997–98)9–28–8Recap
46LJanuary 14, 19981–7New York Islanders (1997–98)9–29–8Recap
47LJanuary 21, 19982–3 OTWashington Capitals (1997–98)9–30–8Recap
48LJanuary 23, 19981–4@ Buffalo Sabres (1997–98)9–31–8Recap
49LJanuary 24, 19982–5@ Toronto Maple Leafs (1997–98)9–32–8Recap
50LJanuary 26, 19981–2@ Ottawa Senators (1997–98)9–33–8Recap
51LJanuary 28, 19982–3Carolina Hurricanes (1997–98)9–34–8Recap
52LJanuary 31, 19980–2@ Florida Panthers (1997–98)9–35–8Recap
February: 3–3–1 (home: 1–3–0; road: 2–0–1)
GameResultDateScoreOpponentRecordRecap
53LFebruary 2, 19983–7Buffalo Sabres (1997–98)9–36–8Recap
54TFebruary 4, 19983–3 OT@ Carolina Hurricanes (1997–98)9–36–9Recap
55LFebruary 5, 19984–5Detroit Red Wings (1997–98)9–37–9Recap
56WFebruary 7, 19984–3@ Washington Capitals (1997–98)10–37–9Recap
57WFebruary 25, 19984–3@ Washington Capitals (1997–98)11–37–9Recap
58LFebruary 26, 19981–4New Jersey Devils (1997–98)11–38–9Recap
59WFebruary 28, 19985–2Washington Capitals (1997–98)12–38–9Recap
March: 5–8–0 (home: 3–2–0; road: 2–6–0)
GameResultDateScoreOpponentRecordRecap
60LMarch 3, 19981–2@ Calgary Flames (1997–98)12–39–9Recap
61LMarch 4, 19982–4@ Edmonton Oilers (1997–98)12–40–9Recap
62LMarch 7, 19982–5@ Vancouver Canucks (1997–98)12–41–9Recap
63WMarch 9, 19982–1@ Colorado Avalanche (1997–98)13–41–9Recap
64LMarch 11, 19980–2Edmonton Oilers (1997–98)13–42–9Recap
65WMarch 14, 19981–0Chicago Blackhawks (1997–98)14–42–9Recap
66LMarch 16, 19983–4 OT@ Boston Bruins (1997–98)14–43–9Recap
67WMarch 18, 19984–2Vancouver Canucks (1997–98)15–43–9Recap
68WMarch 21, 19985–1Florida Panthers (1997–98)16–43–9Recap
69LMarch 25, 19981–2 OTMontreal Canadiens (1997–98)16–44–9Recap
70LMarch 26, 19982–3@ St. Louis Blues (1997–98)16–45–9Recap
71LMarch 28, 19982–8@ Montreal Canadiens (1997–98)16–46–9Recap
72WMarch 30, 19983–1@ New York Rangers (1997–98)17–46–9Recap
April: 0–9–1 (home: 0–5–1; road: 0–4–0)
GameResultDateScoreOpponentRecordRecap
73LApril 1, 19980–4@ New York Islanders (1997–98)17–47–9Recap
74LApril 2, 19981–4@ Washington Capitals (1997–98)17–48–9Recap
75LApril 4, 19981–4Pittsburgh Penguins (1997–98)17–49–9Recap
76LApril 6, 19980–3New York Islanders (1997–98)17–50–9Recap
77LApril 8, 19981–6Philadelphia Flyers (1997–98)17–51–9Recap
78LApril 11, 19981–5Dallas Stars (1997–98)17–52–9Recap
79LApril 13, 19982–3Ottawa Senators (1997–98)17–53–9Recap
80LApril 15, 19981–5@ Pittsburgh Penguins (1997–98)17–54–9Recap
81LApril 16, 19980–4@ New York Islanders (1997–98)17–55–9Recap
82TApril 18, 19982–2 OTFlorida Panthers (1997–98)17–55–10Recap
Legend:

  Win (2 points)   Loss (0 points)   Tie (1 point)

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.
Regular season
No. Player Pos GP G A Pts +/- PIM
15Paul YsebaertC82132740−4332
20Mikael RenbergRW68162238−3734
29Alexander SelivanovRW70161935−3885
7Rob ZamunerLW77141226−3141
18Daymond LangkowC6881422−962
44Stephane Richer†RW2691120−736
22Dino Ciccarelli‡RW3411617−1442
24Jason Wiemer‡C678917−9132
34Mikael AnderssonLW7261117−429
44Roman Hamrlik‡D3731215−1822
16Darcy Tucker†RW356814−889
14Karl DykhuisD785914−8110
6Jeff Norton‡D374610−2526
64Jason Bonsignore†C352810−1122
4Cory CrossD74369−2477
28Patrick Poulin‡C44279−319
5Igor Ulanov‡D45279−585
33Yves RacineD60088−2341
19Brian BradleyC14257−96
21Jody Hull†RW2824624
23Bryan Marchment†‡D22246−343
79Vladimir VujtekLW30246−216
6David Wilkie†D29156−2117
17Brent PetersonLW19505−22
10Sandy McCarthy†RW14055−171
11Steve Kelly†C24213−915
5Jassen Cullimore†D25123−422
36Louie DeBruskLW54123−2166
3Pavel KubinaD10123−122
9Jeff Toms‡C13123−67
8Jamie Huscroft‡D44033−4122
62Andrei Nazarov†LW14112−958
10Paul BrousseauRW11022027
27David Shaw‡D14022−212
28Corey SpringRW8101−110
21Mick Vukota‡RW421010116
30Mark Fitzpatrick†G3401114
2Mike McBainD27011−108
1Zac BierkG130000
39Enrico Ciccone†D12000−345
25Allan EgelandC800009
16Troy Mallette†LW300007
93Daren PuppaG260006
32Corey SchwabG160002
35Derek WilkinsonG80000

Goaltending
  • † = Joined team via a transaction (e.g., trade, waivers, signing) during the season. Stats reflect time with the Lightning only.
Regular season
No. Player GP W L T SA GA GAA SV% SO TOI
30Mark Fitzpatrick†3472419751023.16.89511938
93Daren Puppa265146660662.72.90001456
32Corey Schwab16291370402.92.8921821
35Derek Wilkinson8241148173.28.8850311
1Zac Bierk13141210304.16.8570433

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.[8][9]

Draft picks

Tampa Bay's draft picks at the 1997 NHL Entry Draft held at the Civic Arena in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.[10]

Round # Player Nationality College/Junior/Club team (League)
17Paul Mara United StatesSudbury Wolves (OHL)
233Kyle Kos CanadaRed Deer Rebels (WHL)
361Matt Elich United StatesWindsor Spitfires (OHL)
5108Mark Thompson CanadaRegina Pats (WHL)
5109Jan Sulc Czech RepublicHC Chemopetrol Jr. (Czech Republic)
5112Karel Betik Czech RepublicKelowna Rockets (WHL)
6153Andrei Skopintsev RussiaTPS (Finland)
7168Justin Jack CanadaKelowna Rockets (WHL)
7170Eero Somervuori FinlandJokerit (Finland)
7185Samuel St. Pierre CanadaVictoriaville Tigres (QMJHL)
8198Shawn Skolney CanadaSeattle Thunderbirds (WHL)
9224Paul Comrie CanadaUniversity of Denver (WCHA)

See also

References
  • "Tampa Bay Lightning 1997-98 roster and scoring statistics at hockeydb.com". www.hockeydb.com. Retrieved July 3, 2023.
  • "1997-98 Tampa Bay Lightning Roster, Stats, Injuries, Scores, Results, Shootouts". Hockey-Reference.com. Retrieved July 3, 2023.
  1. Jones, Tom (October 27, 1997). "Crisp is out as Lightning coach". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved July 3, 2023.
  2. Buckley, Tim (December 4, 1997). "Ysebaert: No letter, no worry". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved July 3, 2023.
  3. Jones, Tom (November 13, 1997). "Demers Takes His Shot". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved July 3, 2023.
  4. Jones, Tom (November 20, 1997). "Captain II: Renberg gets another chance". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved July 3, 2023.
  5. "1997-98 NHL Summary".
  6. "1997–1998 Conference Standings". National Hockey League. Retrieved July 4, 2014.
  7. "1997-98 Tampa Bay Lightning Schedule". Hockey-Reference.com. Retrieved July 3, 2023.
  8. "TBL Records: Longest Losing Streaks, Season". records.nhl.com. Retrieved July 8, 2023.
  9. "TBL Records: Longest Winless Streaks, Season". records.nhl.com. Retrieved July 8, 2023.
  10. "1997 NHL Entry Draft Picks at hockeydb.com". www.hockeydb.com. Retrieved July 9, 2023.
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