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.
Divisions: ATL – Atlantic, NE – Northeast bold – Qualified for playoffs
Win (2 points) Loss (0 points) Tie (1 point) Tampa Bay's draft picks at the 1996 NHL entry draft held at the Kiel Center in St. Louis, Missouri.
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