<P> The Lightning 's first regular season game took place on October 7 , 1992 , playing in Tampa 's tiny 11,000 - seat Expo Hall at the Florida State Fairgrounds . They shocked the visiting Chicago Blackhawks 7 -- 3 with four goals by little - known Chris Kontos . The Lightning shot to the top of the Campbell Conference 's Norris Division within a month , behind Kontos ' initial torrid scoring pace and a breakout season by forward Brian Bradley . However , they buckled under the strain of some of the longest road trips in the NHL -- their nearest division rival , the Blues , were over 1,000 miles away -- and finished in last place with a record of 23 -- 54 -- 7 for 53 points . This was , at the time , one of the best - ever showings by an NHL expansion team . Bradley 's 42 goals gave Tampa Bay fans optimism for the next season ; it would be a team record until the 2006 -- 07 season . </P>
<P> The Lightning 's first regular season game took place on October 7 , 1992 , playing in Tampa 's tiny 11,000 - seat Expo Hall at the Florida State Fairgrounds . They shocked the visiting Chicago Blackhawks 7 -- 3 with four goals by little - known Chris Kontos . The Lightning shot to the top of the Campbell Conference 's Norris Division within a month , behind Kontos ' initial torrid scoring pace and a breakout season by forward Brian Bradley . However , they buckled under the strain of some of the longest road trips in the NHL -- their nearest division rival , the Blues , were over 1,000 miles away -- and finished in last place with a record of 23 -- 54 -- 7 for 53 points . This was , at the time , one of the best - ever showings by an NHL expansion team . Bradley 's 42 goals gave Tampa Bay fans optimism for the next season ; it would be a team record until the 2006 -- 07 season . </P>
where did the tampa bay lightning first play
where did the tampa bay lightning first play
October 7 , 1992
October 7 , 1992