Its games were canceled due to the lockout of players.
Because the entire season was canceled due to the lockout, the Lightning were allowed to retain their status as the Stanley Cup champions.
Tampa Bay’s regular season schedule was announced on July 14, 2004.
[1] The Lightning were involved in the following transactions from June 8, 2004, the day after the deciding game of the 2004 Stanley Cup Finals, through February 16, 2005, the day the 2004–05 season was officially canceled.
[3] Tampa Bay's picks at the 2004 NHL entry draft, which was held at the RBC Center in Raleigh, North Carolina on June 26–27, 2004.