1996–97 Tampa Bay Lightning season

1996–97 Tampa Bay Lightning
Division6th Atlantic
Conference11th Eastern
1996–97 record32–40–10
Home record15–18–8
Road record17–22–2
Goals for217
Goals against247
Team information
General managerPhil Esposito
CoachTerry Crisp
CaptainPaul Ysebaert
ArenaIce Palace
Average attendance17,442
Minor league affiliate(s)Adirondack Red Wings
Team leaders
GoalsDino Ciccarelli (35)
AssistsJohn Cullen (37)
PointsChris Gratton (62)
Penalty minutesChris Gratton (201)
Plus/minusBill Houlder (+16)
WinsRick Tabaracci (20)
Goals against averageRick Tabaracci (2.75)

The 1996–97 Tampa Bay Lightning season was the Lightning's fifth season of operation. The Lightning were unable to qualify for the playoffs despite making their first playoff appearance the previous year and losing to the Philadelphia Flyers in the first round.

Regular season

Final standings

Atlantic Division
No. CR GP W L T GF GA Pts
1 1 New Jersey Devils 82 45 23 14 231 182 104
2 3 Philadelphia Flyers 82 45 24 13 274 217 103
3 4 Florida Panthers 82 35 28 19 221 201 89
4 5 New York Rangers 82 38 34 10 258 231 86
5 9 Washington Capitals 82 33 40 9 214 231 75
6 11 Tampa Bay Lightning 82 32 40 10 217 247 74
7 12 New York Islanders 82 29 41 12 240 250 70
Eastern Conference[1]
R Div GP W L T GF GA Pts
1 New Jersey Devils ATL 82 45 23 14 231 182 104
2 Buffalo Sabres NE 82 40 30 12 237 208 92
3 Philadelphia Flyers ATL 82 45 24 13 274 217 103
4 Florida Panthers ATL 82 35 28 19 221 201 89
5 New York Rangers ATL 82 38 34 10 258 231 86
6 Pittsburgh Penguins NE 82 38 36 8 285 280 84
7 Ottawa Senators NE 82 31 36 15 226 234 77
8 Montreal Canadiens NE 82 31 36 15 249 276 77
9 Washington Capitals ATL 82 33 40 9 214 231 75
10 Hartford Whalers NE 82 32 39 11 226 256 75
11 Tampa Bay Lightning ATL 82 32 40 10 217 247 74
12 New York Islanders ATL 82 29 41 12 240 250 70
13 Boston Bruins NE 82 26 47 9 234 300 61

Divisions: ATL – Atlantic, NE – Northeast

bold – Qualified for playoffs


Schedule and results

1996–97 regular season[2]
October: 5–4–1 (home: 1–3–1; road: 4–1–0)
Game Result Date Score Opponent Record Recap
1 W October 5, 1996 4–3 OT @ Pittsburgh Penguins (1996–97) 1–0–0 Recap
2 L October 11, 1996 2–6 @ Washington Capitals (1996–97) 1–1–0 Recap
3 W October 12, 1996 7–4 @ Toronto Maple Leafs (1996–97) 2–1–0 Recap
4 W October 15, 1996 4–0 @ Buffalo Sabres (1996–97) 3–1–0 Recap
5 W October 20, 1996 5–2 New York Rangers (1996–97) 4–1–0 Recap
6 W October 22, 1996 6–3 @ New York Islanders (1996–97) 5–1–0 Recap
7 L October 24, 1996 2–5 Ottawa Senators (1996–97) 5–2–0 Recap
8 L October 26, 1996 1–4 New Jersey Devils (1996–97) 5–3–0 Recap
9 T October 29, 1996 2–2 OT Chicago Blackhawks (1996–97) 5–3–1 Recap
10 L October 31, 1996 3–4 Philadelphia Flyers (1996–97) 5–4–1 Recap
November: 2–10–1 (home: 1–5–1; road: 1–5–0)
Game Result Date Score Opponent Record Recap
11 L November 2, 1996 1–2 @ New Jersey Devils (1996–97) 5–5–1 Recap
12 W November 4, 1996 5–3 @ New York Rangers (1996–97) 6–5–1 Recap
13 L November 6, 1996 1–2 Washington Capitals (1996–97) 6–6–1 Recap
14 T November 8, 1996 5–5 OT Pittsburgh Penguins (1996–97) 6–6–2 Recap
15 L November 10, 1996 2–4 @ Detroit Red Wings (1996–97) 6–7–2 Recap
16 L November 14, 1996 3–5 @ St. Louis Blues (1996–97) 6–8–2 Recap
17 L November 16, 1996 3–6 @ New Jersey Devils (1996–97) 6–9–2 Recap
18 W November 19, 1996 3–0 Los Angeles Kings (1996–97) 7–9–2 Recap
19 L November 23, 1996 1–2 Philadelphia Flyers (1996–97) 7–10–2 Recap
20 L November 25, 1996 2–4 @ Montreal Canadiens (1996–97) 7–11–2 Recap
21 L November 27, 1996 0–3 Buffalo Sabres (1996–97) 7–12–2 Recap
22 L November 29, 1996 1–2 Dallas Stars (1996–97) 7–13–2 Recap
23 L November 30, 1996 3–6 Hartford Whalers (1996–97) 7–14–2 Recap
December: 5–5–3 (home: 2–1–3; road: 3–4–0)
Game Result Date Score Opponent Record Recap
24 L December 4, 1996 1–3 @ Mighty Ducks of Anaheim (1996–97) 7–15–2 Recap
25 W December 5, 1996 2–1 @ Los Angeles Kings (1996–97) 8–15–2 Recap
26 W December 7, 1996 4–3 @ San Jose Sharks (1996–97) 9–15–2 Recap
27 T December 12, 1996 2–2 OT Edmonton Oilers (1996–97) 9–15–3 Recap
28 W December 14, 1996 4–1 New York Islanders (1996–97) 10–15–3 Recap
29 W December 16, 1996 4–2 @ Montreal Canadiens (1996–97) 11–15–3 Recap
30 L December 18, 1996 3–5 @ Buffalo Sabres (1996–97) 11–16–3 Recap
31 L December 19, 1996 0–3 @ Boston Bruins (1996–97) 11–17–3 Recap
32 L December 21, 1996 5–6 OT @ Hartford Whalers (1996–97) 11–18–3 Recap
33 L December 23, 1996 1–3 Washington Capitals (1996–97) 11–19–3 Recap
34 T December 26, 1996 3–3 OT Florida Panthers (1996–97) 11–19–4 Recap
35 T December 28, 1996 4–4 OT Montreal Canadiens (1996–97) 11–19–5 Recap
36 W December 31, 1996 4–2 New York Rangers (1996–97) 12–19–5 Recap
January: 6–5–1 (home: 2–1–1; road: 4–4–0)
Game Result Date Score Opponent Record Recap
37 W January 3, 1997 3–2 Mighty Ducks of Anaheim (1996–97) 13–19–5 Recap
38 L January 4, 1997 3–7 @ Pittsburgh Penguins (1996–97) 13–20–5 Recap
39 W January 6, 1997 4–3 @ Ottawa Senators (1996–97) 14–20–5 Recap
40 W January 8, 1997 4–3 @ New York Rangers (1996–97) 15–20–5 Recap
41 W January 9, 1997 3–1 @ Philadelphia Flyers (1996–97) 16–20–5 Recap
42 T January 11, 1997 4–4 OT New York Islanders (1996–97) 16–20–6 Recap
43 W January 13, 1997 2–0 @ Chicago Blackhawks (1996–97) 17–20–6 Recap
44 L January 15, 1997 2–4 @ Colorado Avalanche (1996–97) 17–21–6 Recap
45 W January 21, 1997 3–2 OT Colorado Avalanche (1996–97) 18–21–6 Recap
46 L January 25, 1997 2–3 @ Florida Panthers (1996–97) 18–22–6 Recap
47 L January 27, 1997 3–5 @ Ottawa Senators (1996–97) 18–23–6 Recap
48 L January 30, 1997 1–4 Montreal Canadiens (1996–97) 18–24–6 Recap
February: 6–6–1 (home: 5–2–1; road: 1–4–0)
Game Result Date Score Opponent Record Recap
49 L February 1, 1997 0–3 Boston Bruins (1996–97) 18–25–6 Recap
50 W February 4, 1997 2–0 @ Phoenix Coyotes (1996–97) 19–25–6 Recap
51 L February 5, 1997 0–4 @ Dallas Stars (1996–97) 19–26–6 Recap
52 L February 8, 1997 1–3 Buffalo Sabres (1996–97) 19–27–6 Recap
53 L February 12, 1997 2–5 @ Florida Panthers (1996–97) 19–28–6 Recap
54 L February 14, 1997 4–5 OT @ Washington Capitals (1996–97) 19–29–6 Recap
55 W February 15, 1997 4–1 Washington Capitals (1996–97) 20–29–6 Recap
56 T February 17, 1997 3–3 OT Detroit Red Wings (1996–97) 20–29–7 Recap
57 W February 20, 1997 5–2 Philadelphia Flyers (1996–97) 21–29–7 Recap
58 W February 22, 1997 3–1 New Jersey Devils (1996–97) 22–29–7 Recap
59 W February 23, 1997 4–3 San Jose Sharks (1996–97) 23–29–7 Recap
60 W February 25, 1997 3–2 St. Louis Blues (1996–97) 24–29–7 Recap
61 L February 27, 1997 2–6 @ Boston Bruins (1996–97) 24–30–7 Recap
March: 5–8–1 (home: 3–6–0; road: 2–2–1)
Game Result Date Score Opponent Record Recap
62 W March 1, 1997 2–0 Florida Panthers (1996–97) 25–30–7 Recap
63 W March 4, 1997 6–3 @ New York Islanders (1996–97) 26–30–7 Recap
64 L March 6, 1997 0–5 Phoenix Coyotes (1996–97) 26–31–7 Recap
65 L March 8, 1997 4–6 Boston Bruins (1996–97) 26–32–7 Recap
66 W March 9, 1997 2–1 OT Calgary Flames (1996–97) 27–32–7 Recap
67 L March 13, 1997 0–3 New York Islanders (1996–97) 27–33–7 Recap
68 L March 15, 1997 2–5 Vancouver Canucks (1996–97) 27–34–7 Recap
69 L March 16, 1997 1–3 Toronto Maple Leafs (1996–97) 27–35–7 Recap
70 L March 19, 1997 1–3 @ Edmonton Oilers (1996–97) 27–36–7 Recap
71 W March 21, 1997 4–3 OT @ Calgary Flames (1996–97) 28–36–7 Recap
72 L March 22, 1997 2–3 @ Vancouver Canucks (1996–97) 28–37–7 Recap
73 W March 25, 1997 5–0 Ottawa Senators (1996–97) 29–37–7 Recap
74 L March 27, 1997 2–5 Hartford Whalers (1996–97) 29–38–7 Recap
75 T March 29, 1997 1–1 OT @ Florida Panthers (1996–97) 29–38–8 Recap
April: 3–2–2 (home: 1–0–1; road: 2–2–1)
Game Result Date Score Opponent Record Recap
76 T April 1, 1997 1–1 OT @ Philadelphia Flyers (1996–97) 29–38–9 Recap
77 L April 4, 1997 0–3 @ New Jersey Devils (1996–97) 29–39–9 Recap
78 W April 5, 1997 3–2 @ New York Islanders (1996–97) 30–39–9 Recap
79 T April 8, 1997 2–2 OT New Jersey Devils (1996–97) 30–39–10 Recap
80 W April 10, 1997 4–3 Pittsburgh Penguins (1996–97) 31–39–10 Recap
81 W April 11, 1997 4–2 @ New York Rangers (1996–97) 32–39–10 Recap
82 L April 13, 1997 1–2 @ Hartford Whalers (1996–97) 32–40–10 Recap
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.
No. Player Pos Regular season
GP G A Pts +/- PIM
77 Chris Gratton C 82 30 32 62 −28 201
22 Dino Ciccarelli RW 77 35 25 60 −11 116
12 John Cullen C 70 18 37 55 −14 95
7 Rob Zamuner LW 82 17 33 50 3 56
44 Roman Hamrlik D 79 12 28 40 −29 57
11 Shawn Burr LW 74 14 21 35 5 106
29 Alex Selivanov RW 69 15 18 33 −3 61
18 Daymond Langkow C 79 15 13 28 1 35
28 Patrick Poulin C 73 12 14 26 −16 56
2 Bill Houlder D 79 4 21 25 16 30
19 Brian Bradley C 35 7 17 24 2 16
34 Mikael Andersson LW 70 5 14 19 1 8
15 Paul Ysebaert C 39 5 12 17 1 4
55 Drew Bannister‡ D 64 4 13 17 −21 44
24 Jason Wiemer C 63 9 5 14 −13 134
27 David Shaw D 57 1 10 11 1 72
9 Jeff Toms C 34 2 8 10 2 10
4 Cory Cross D 72 4 5 9 6 95
5 Igor Ulanov D 59 1 7 8 2 108
20 Rudy Poeschek RW 60 0 6 6 −3 120
6 Jeff Norton† D 13 0 5 5 0 16
74 Brantt Myhres RW 47 3 1 4 1 136
23 Brian Bellows‡ LW 7 1 2 3 −4 0
92 Aaron Gavey‡ C 16 1 2 3 −1 12
17 Brent Peterson LW 17 2 0 2 −4 4
8 Jamie Huscroft† D 13 0 1 1 −4 34
32 Corey Schwab G 31 0 1 1 10
31 Rick Tabaracci† G 55 0 1 1 12
10 Paul Brousseau RW 6 0 0 0 −4 0
25 Allan Egeland C 4 0 0 0 −3 5
93 Daren Puppa G 6 0 0 0 2
26 Jay Wells D 21 0 0 0 −3 13
35 Derek Wilkinson G 5 0 0 0 0
6 Craig Wolanin‡ D 15 0 0 0 −9 8

Goaltending

  • † = Joined team via a transaction (e.g., trade, waivers, signing) during the season. Stats reflect time with the Lightning only.
No. Player Regular season
GP W L T SA GA GAA SV% SO TOI
31 Rick Tabaracci† 55 20 25 6 1415 138 2.75 .902 4 3012
32 Corey Schwab 31 11 12 1 719 74 3.04 .897 2 1462
93 Daren Puppa 6 1 1 2 150 14 2.59 .907 0 325
35 Derek Wilkinson 5 0 2 1 72 12 4.26 .833 0 169

Awards and records

Awards

Type Award/honor Recipient Ref
League
(in-season) 		NHL All-Star Game selection Dino Ciccarelli[a] [4]
NHL Rookie of the Month Daymond Langkow (February) [5]

Milestones

Milestone Player Date Ref
First game Brent Peterson November 2, 1996 [6]

Draft picks

Tampa Bay's draft picks at the 1996 NHL entry draft held at the Kiel Center in St. Louis, Missouri.[7]

Round # Player Nationality College/Junior/Club team (League)
1 16 Mario Larocque  Canada Hull Olympiques (QMJHL)
3 69 Curtis Tipler  Canada Regina Pats (WHL)
5 125 Jason Robinson  Canada Niagara Falls Thunder (OHL)
6 152 Nikolai Ignatov  Russia CSKA Moscow (Russia)
6 157 Xavier Delisle  Canada Granby Predateurs (QMJHL)
7 179 Pavel Kubina  Czech Republic HC Vitkovice (Czech Republic)

See also

Notes

  1. ^ Ciccarelli was voted to the starting lineup.[3]

References

  • "Tampa Bay Lightning 1996-97 roster and scoring statistics at hockeydb.com". www.hockeydb.com. Retrieved July 22, 2023.
  • "1996-97 Tampa Bay Lightning Roster, Stats, Injuries, Scores, Results, Shootouts". Hockey-Reference.com. Retrieved July 22, 2023.
  1. ^ "1996-1997 Conference Standings Standings - NHL.com - Standings". NHL.
  2. ^ "1996-97 Tampa Bay Lightning Schedule". Hockey-Reference.com. Retrieved July 22, 2023.
  3. ^ "NHL All-Star Game Starting Lineups by Year (since 1986)". NHL.com. Archived from the original on March 22, 2023. Retrieved August 29, 2024.
  4. ^ "1997 NHL All-Star Game Rosters". Hockey-Reference.com. Retrieved August 29, 2024.
  5. ^ "Bruins Let Oates Have His Way | The Spokesman-Review". www.spokesman.com. March 2, 1997. Retrieved July 27, 2023. Tampa Bay Lightning center Daymond Langkow was named NHL rookie of the month.
  6. ^ "1996-97 NHL Debuts". Hockey-Reference.com. Retrieved October 7, 2024.
  7. ^ "1996 NHL Entry Draft Picks at hockeydb.com". www.hockeydb.com. Retrieved July 27, 2023.