The 1998–99 Tampa Bay Lightning season was the franchise's seventh season of operation in the National Hockey League (NHL). For the third consecutive year, the Lighting were unable to qualify for the playoffs. They also finished in last place for the second consecutive year as well.
Offseason
On the eve of the regular season opener, Mikael Renberg stepped down as team captain and was replaced by Rob Zamuner.
Regular season
The Lightning again finished last in scoring, with just 179 goals for. They also allowed the most goals of all 27 teams, with 292 goals against.
All-Star Game
The 49th National Hockey League All-Star Game took place on January 24, 1999, at the Ice Palace in Tampa Bay, Florida, home to the Tampa Bay Lightning. It would be Wayne Gretzky's last All-Star Game.
Season standings
Schedule and results
|- align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB" |1||L||October 9, 1998||1–4 || align="left"| @ Florida Panthers (1998–99) ||0–1–0 || |- align="center" |2||T||October 10, 1998||4–4 OT|| align="left"| @ Carolina Hurricanes (1998–99) ||0–1–1 || |- align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB" |3||L||October 14, 1998||0–2 || align="left"| New York Islanders (1998–99) ||0–2–1 || |- align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB" |4||L||October 16, 1998||2–5 || align="left"| Philadelphia Flyers (1998–99) ||0–3–1 || |- align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB" |5||L||October 18, 1998||1–4 || align="left"| Washington Capitals (1998–99) ||0–4–1 || |- align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" |6||W||October 21, 1998||5–0 || align="left"| Pittsburgh Penguins (1998–99) ||1–4–1 || |- align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" |7||W||October 23, 1998||3–2 || align="left"| Los Angeles Kings (1998–99) ||2–4–1 || |- align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" |8||W||October 25, 1998||3–2 || align="left"| Vancouver Canucks (1998–99) ||3–4–1 || |- align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB" |9||L||October 28, 1998||3–5 || align="left"| @ Mighty Ducks of Anaheim (1998–99) ||3–5–1 || |- align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" |10||W||October 30, 1998||3–0 || align="left"| @ Los Angeles Kings (1998–99) ||4–5–1 || |- align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB" |11||L||October 31, 1998||1–6 || align="left"| @ San Jose Sharks (1998–99) ||4–6–1 || |-
|- align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" |12||W||November 4, 1998||5–2 || align="left"| @ Washington Capitals (1998–99) ||5–6–1 || |- align="center" |13||T||November 6, 1998||2–2 OT|| align="left"| Chicago Blackhawks (1998–99) ||5–6–2 || |- align="center" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" |14||W||November 8, 1998||3–1 || align="left"| New Jersey Devils (1998–99) ||6–6–2 || |- align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB" |15||L||November 10, 1998||2–10 || align="left"| New York Rangers (1998–99) ||6–7–2 || |- align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB" |16||L||November 13, 1998||1–8 || align="left"| @ Colorado Avalanche (1998–99) ||6–8–2 || |- align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB" |17||L||November 14, 1998||1–4 || align="left"| @ Phoenix Coyotes (1998–99) ||6–9–2 || |- align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB" |18||L||November 19, 1998||1–5 || align="left"| Pittsburgh Penguins (1998–99) ||6–10–2 || |- align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB" |19||L||November 21, 1998||2–5 || align="left"| @ Pittsburgh Penguins (1998–99) ||6–11–2 || |- align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB" |20||L||November 24, 1998||1–4 || align="left"| Boston Bruins (1998–99) ||6–12–2 || |- align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB" |21||L||November 27, 1998||1–2 || align="left"| Florida Panthers (1998–99) ||6–13–2 || |- align="center" bgcolor="#FFBBBB" |22||L||November 29, 1998||3–6 || align="left"| Buffalo Sabres (1998–99) ||6–14–2 || |-