Eastern Conference Surprises Of The First Half Of The NHL Season

2. Tampa Bay Lightning, Martin St. Louis & Ben Bishop

Dec 5, 2013; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Lightning right wing Martin St. Louis (26) and goalie Ben Bishop (30) fist pump after they beat the Ottawa Senators at Tampa Bay Times Forum. Tampa Bay Lightning defeated the Ottawa Senators 3-1. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Moving to the tough Atlantic Division was supposed to be a tough task for the Lightning and the Panthers, but Tampa has shown that they are up to the task, despite losing their most dynamic offensive player, Steven Stamkos, to a broken leg.  Martin St. Louis and former Ottawa Senators goalie Ben Bishop have led the way and the Lighting sit in 2nd place in the Atlantic Division, trailing only the Bruins.

Despite losing his centreman, St. Louis still finds himself in the top 12 of NHL scorers.