Due to the cancellation of the 2004–05 season, the Lightning entered the season as defending Stanley Cup champions, which they won in 2003–04.
[1] Note: CR = Conference rank; GP = Games played; W = Wins; L = Losses; T = Ties; OTL = Overtime loss; GF = Goals for; GA = Goals against; Pts = Points Bolded teams qualified for the playoffs.
The Tampa Bay Lightning ended the 2005–06 regular season as the Eastern Conference's eighth seed.
Win (2 points) Loss (0 points) Overtime/shootout loss (1 point) Win Loss The Lightning were involved in the following transactions from February 17, 2005, the day after the 2004–05 NHL season was officially cancelled, through June 19, 2006, the day of the deciding game of the 2006 Stanley Cup Finals.
[6] Tampa's picks at the 2005 NHL entry draft in Ottawa, Ontario.