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The Tampa Bay Lightning are a professional ice hockey team based in Tampa, Florida. They are members of the Atlantic Division in the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League (NHL).^[1] The Lightning were founded in 1992 as an expansion team in the Norris Division of the Campbell Conference. The next year, the Lightning were placed in the NHL's new Eastern Conference as members of the Atlantic Division. The Lightning were moved to the Southeast Division as part of the NHL's 1998 expansion to three divisions per conference. In 2013, as part of another realignment and return to a two division format, the Lightning became part of a reconstituted Atlantic Division. The Lightning played in Expo Hall for their inaugural season, and moved to Tropicana Field (then called the ThunderDome) for the 1993–94 season. They moved to their current home in 1996, the Ice Palace, which has since been renamed Amalie Arena.

The Lightning have qualified for the Stanley Cup playoffs thirteen times in twenty-eight completed seasons and won the Stanley Cup three times, once in 2004 and back-to-back in 2020 and 2021. The Tampa Bay Lightning have won over 1,000 regular season games, the 23rd-highest victory total among NHL teams.^[2] They have also lost 1,000 games during the regular season, the ninth-lowest loss total in the NHL.^[2] The Lightning have over 2,400 points in their 30 seasons, the tenth-lowest point total in the league.^[2]

Tampa Bay made their first playoffs in the 1995–96 season. The team's best year was the 2018–19 season, in which they finished 62–16–4. The team's worst year was the 1997–98 season, in which they finished 17–55–10. Tampa Bay moved to the Southeast Division in 1998, and won the division for the first time in the 2002–03 season. The Lightning won the Eastern Conference and their first Stanley Cup in the following season.^[3] As part of the 2013–14 NHL season realignment, the Lightning were relocated into the Atlantic Division after the league reduced from six divisions to four.^[4]

Table key

Key of colors and symbols
Color/symbol	Explanation
†	Stanley Cup champions
‡	Conference champions
↑	Division champions
#	Led league in points

Key of terms and abbreviations
Term or abbreviation	Definition
Finish	Final position in division or league standings
GP	Number of games played
W	Number of wins
L	Number of losses
T	Number of ties
OT	Number of losses in overtime (since the 1999–2000 season)
Pts	Number of points
GF	Goals for (goals scored by the Lightning)
GA	Goals against (goals scored by the Lightning's opponents)
—	Does not apply

Year by year

Year by year listing of all seasons played by the Tampa Bay Lightning
NHL season	Lightning season	Conference	Division	Regular season^[5]^[6]									Postseason
NHL season	Lightning season	Conference	Division	Finish	GP	W	L	T	OT	Pts	GF	GA	GP	W	L	GF	GA	Result
1992–93^[a]	1992–93	Campbell	Norris	6th	84	23	54	7	—	53	245	332	—	—	—	—	—	Did not qualify
1993–94	1993–94	Eastern^[b]	Atlantic	7th	84	30	43	11	—	71	224	251	—	—	—	—	—	Did not qualify
1994–95^[c]	1994–95	Eastern	Atlantic	6th	48	17	28	3	—	37	120	144	—	—	—	—	—	Did not qualify
1995–96	1995–96	Eastern	Atlantic	5th	82	38	32	12	—	88	238	248	6	2	4	13	26	Lost conference quarterfinals to Philadelphia Flyers, 2–4^[7]
1996–97	1996–97	Eastern	Atlantic	6th	82	32	40	10	—	74	217	247	—	—	—	—	—	Did not qualify
1997–98	1997–98	Eastern	Atlantic	7th	82	17	55	10	—	44	151	269	—	—	—	—	—	Did not qualify
1998–99	1998–99	Eastern	Southeast^[d]	4th	82	19	54	9	—	47	179	292	—	—	—	—	—	Did not qualify
1999–2000	1999–2000	Eastern	Southeast	4th	82	19	47	9	7^[e]	54	204	310	—	—	—	—	—	Did not qualify
2000–01	2000–01	Eastern	Southeast	5th	82	24	47	6	5	59	201	280	—	—	—	—	—	Did not qualify
2001–02	2001–02	Eastern	Southeast	3rd	82	27	40	11	4	69	178	219	—	—	—	—	—	Did not qualify
2002–03	2002–03	Eastern	Southeast↑	1st	82	36	25	16	5	93	219	210	11	5	6	22	29	Won conference quarterfinals vs. Washington Capitals, 4–2 Lost conference semifinals to New Jersey Devils, 1–4^[8]
2003–04	2003–04	Eastern‡	Southeast↑	1st	82	46	22	8	6	106	245	192	23	16	7	60	43	Won conference quarterfinals vs. New York Islanders, 4–1 Won conference semifinals vs. Montreal Canadiens, 4–0 Won conference finals vs. Philadelphia Flyers, 4–3 Won Stanley Cup Finals vs. Calgary Flames, 4–3^[9]†
2004–05^[f]	2004–05	Eastern	Southeast	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	No playoffs due to lockout
2005–06	2005–06	Eastern	Southeast	2nd	82	43	33	—^[g]	6	92	252	260	5	1	4	13	23	Lost conference quarterfinals to Ottawa Senators, 1–4^[10]
2006–07	2006–07	Eastern	Southeast	2nd	82	44	33	—	5	93	253	261	6	2	4	14	19	Lost conference quarterfinals to New Jersey Devils, 2–4^[11]
2007–08	2007–08	Eastern	Southeast	5th	82	31	42	—	9	71	223	267	—	—	—	—	—	Did not qualify
2008–09	2008–09	Eastern	Southeast	5th	82	24	40	—	18	66	210	279	—	—	—	—	—	Did not qualify
2009–10	2009–10	Eastern	Southeast	3rd	82	34	36	—	12	80	217	260	—	—	—	—	—	Did not qualify
2010–11	2010–11	Eastern	Southeast	2nd	82	46	25	—	11	103	247	240	18	11	7	59	45	Won conference quarterfinals vs. Pittsburgh Penguins, 4–3 Won conference semifinals vs. Washington Capitals, 4–0 Lost conference finals to Boston Bruins, 3–4^[12]
2011–12	2011–12	Eastern	Southeast	3rd	82	38	36	—	8	84	235	281	—	—	—	—	—	Did not qualify
2012–13^[h]	2012–13	Eastern	Southeast	4th	48	18	26	—	4	40	148	150	—	—	—	—	—	Did not qualify
2013–14	2013–14	Eastern	Atlantic^[i]	2nd	82	46	27	—	9	101	240	215	4	0	4	10	16	Lost first round to Montreal Canadiens, 0–4^[13]
2014–15	2014–15	Eastern‡	Atlantic	2nd	82	50	24	—	8	108	262	211	26	14	12	65	62	Won first round vs. Detroit Red Wings, 4–3 Won second round vs. Montreal Canadiens, 4–2 Won conference finals vs. New York Rangers, 4–3 Lost Stanley Cup Finals to Chicago Blackhawks, 2–4^[14]
2015–16	2015–16	Eastern	Atlantic	2nd	82	46	31	—	5	97	227	201	17	11	6	48	40	Won first round vs. Detroit Red Wings, 4–1 Won second round vs. New York Islanders, 4–1 Lost conference finals to Pittsburgh Penguins, 3–4^[15]
2016–17	2016–17	Eastern	Atlantic	5th	82	42	30	—	10	94	234	227	—	—	—	—	—	Did not qualify
2017–18	2017–18	Eastern	Atlantic↑	1st	82	54	23	—	5	113	296	236	17	11	6	50	48	Won first round vs. New Jersey Devils, 4–1 Won second round vs. Boston Bruins, 4–1 Lost conference finals to Washington Capitals, 3–4
2018–19	2018–19	Eastern	Atlantic↑	1st	82	62	16	—	4	128#	325	222	4	0	4	8	19	Lost first round to Columbus Blue Jackets, 0–4
2019–20^[j]	2019–20	Eastern‡	Atlantic	2nd	70	43	21	—	6	92	245	195	25	18	7	78	57	Finished second in seeding round-robin (2–1) Won first round vs. Columbus Blue Jackets, 4–1 Won second round vs. Boston Bruins, 4–1 Won conference finals vs. New York Islanders, 4–2 Won Stanley Cup Finals vs. Dallas Stars, 4–2†
2020–21^[k]	2020–21	—	Central	3rd	56	36	17	—	3	75	181	147	23	16	7	75	45	Won first round vs. Florida Panthers, 4–2 Won second round vs. Carolina Hurricanes, 4–1 Won Stanley Cup semifinals vs. New York Islanders, 4–3 Won Stanley Cup Finals vs. Montreal Canadiens, 4–1†
2021–22	2021–22	Eastern‡	Atlantic	3rd	82	51	23	—	8	110	287	233	23	14	9	67	61	Won first round vs. Toronto Maple Leafs, 4–3 Won second round vs. Florida Panthers, 4–0 Won conference finals vs. New York Rangers, 4–2 Lost Stanley Cup Finals to Colorado Avalanche, 2–4
2022–23	2022–23	Eastern	Atlantic	3rd	82	46	30	—	6	98	283	254	6	2	4	21	23	Lost first round to Toronto Maple Leafs, 2–4
2023–24	2023–24	Eastern	Atlantic	4th	82	45	29	—	8	98	291	268	5	1	4	14	20	Lost first round to Florida Panthers, 1–4
Totals					2,440	1,127	1,029	112	172	2,538	7,077	7,401	219	124	95	617	576	Playoff series record: 25–13

Notes

^a In 1992, the NHL expanded the season to 84 games, and each team played two games at a neutral site. After the 1995 lockout, the neutral site games were eliminated, and the season was reduced to 82 games.^[16]
^b The NHL realigned into Eastern and Western conferences prior to the 1993–94 season. Tampa Bay was placed in the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference.^[17]
^c The season was shortened to 48 games because of the 1994–95 NHL lockout.^[18]
^d The NHL added 4 expansion teams prior to the 1998–99 season and split the Eastern Conference into three divisions: Northeast, Atlantic, and Southeast. Tampa Bay was moved into the new Southeast division.^[19]
^e Beginning with the 1999–2000 season, teams received one point for losing a regular season game in overtime.^[20]
^f The season was canceled because of the 2004–05 NHL lockout.^[21]
^g Before the 2005–06 season, the NHL instituted a penalty shootout for regular season games that remained tied after a five-minute overtime period, which prevented ties.^[22]
^h The season was shortened to 48 games because of the 2012–13 NHL lockout.^[23]
ⁱ The NHL realigned prior to the 2013–14 season. Tampa Bay was placed in the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference.^[24]
^j The regular season was cut short, and the playoffs were modified as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
^k The season was shortened to 56 games because of the COVID-19 pandemic. ^[25]

References

^ "Rosters, Arena Information, and Aerial Maps". National Hockey League. Retrieved August 27, 2013.
^ ^a ^b ^c "Team Index". Hockey-Reference. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved September 2, 2015.
^ "Calgary Flames vs. Tampa Bay Lightning Recap". ESPN. June 7, 2004. Archived from the original on August 12, 2004. Retrieved January 17, 2011.
^ "Guide to 2013-14 NHL realignment". Reuters. October 1, 2013. Retrieved September 2, 2015.
^ "Tampa Bay Lightning Statistics and History". The Internet Hockey Database. Retrieved April 25, 2016.
^ "Tampa Bay Lightning Franchise Index". Hockey-Reference. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved April 25, 2016.
^ "1996 NHL Playoff Summary". Hockey-Reference. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved January 17, 2011.
^ "2003 NHL Playoff Summary". Hockey-Reference. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved January 17, 2011.
^ "2004 NHL Playoff Summary". Hockey-Reference. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved January 17, 2011.
^ "2006 NHL Playoff Summary". Hockey-Reference. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved January 17, 2011.
^ "2007 NHL Playoff Summary". Hockey-Reference. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved January 17, 2011.
^ "2011 NHL Playoff Summary". Hockey-Reference. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved June 22, 2011.
^ "2014 NHL Playoff Summary". Hockey-Reference. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved April 22, 2014.
^ "2015 NHL Playoff Summary". Hockey-Reference. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved April 25, 2016.
^ "2016 NHL Playoff Summary". Hockey-Reference. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved May 26, 2016.
^ Morrison, Scott (December 1, 2007). "84 game schedule a lock". SLAM! Sports. Archived from the original on July 16, 2012. Retrieved June 14, 2010.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
^ Lapointe, Joe (April 1, 1993). "Hockey; N.H.L. Redraws Map In Realignment Plan". The New York Times. Retrieved June 14, 2010.
^ Swift, E. M. (January 23, 1995). "Drop Those Pucks!". Sports Illustrated. Archived from the original on May 17, 2009. Retrieved June 14, 2010.
^ "N.H.L. Names 4 Cities For Its New Franchises". The New York Times. June 18, 1997. Retrieved June 14, 2010.
^ Lapointe, Joe (September 30, 1999). "Hockey: Preview '99–'00; Overtime Is Now Five Minutes in Hockey Heaven". The New York Times. Retrieved June 14, 2010.
^ "Lockout over salary cap shuts down NHL". ESPN. Associated Press. February 16, 2005. Retrieved June 14, 2010.
^ "Shootouts are fan-friendly". The Washington Times. October 19, 2005. Retrieved June 14, 2010.
^ "NHL Announces 2012-13 Season Schedule". Lightning.nhl.com. Tampa Bay Lightning. January 12, 2013. Retrieved April 27, 2013.
^ "NHL slate, division names revealed". ESPN.com news services. ESPN. July 20, 2013. Retrieved April 10, 2015.
^ Knoll, Andrew (December 20, 2020). "N.H.L. and Players' Union Reach Framework for 2020-21 Season". The New York Times. Retrieved May 15, 2021.