SLAP SHOTS

Your Pittsburgh Penguins received a min-vacation for Christmas. They don't play again until Friday. It's a good thing because the black-n-gold are black & blue and could use the time to heal. The Pens list of injured players past and present is longer than Santa's Christmas list. James Neal, Tomas Vokoun and Kris Letang all started the season hurt. Now Letang is injured again along with Evgeni Malkin, Paul Martin, Beau Bennett, Jayson Megna, Brooks Orpik, Rob Scuderi, Tanner Glass and Andrew Ebbett. And don't forget that Pascal Dupuis left Monday's game with an injury. Luckily, the Baby Pens and the healthy scratches have stepped up in a big way. And, of course, Sidney Crosby has been healthy and playing at an MVP-level. Sid, Chris Kunitz and Marc-Andre Fleury have managed to avoid the injury bug and have helped lead the Pens to an Eastern Conference-best 55 points. However, questions do remain. The Pens have gone 8-2 in their last 10 games. Can they keep up the pace? Can the young guys continue to play at this level? And what happens to these young players when the regulars return to health? It's an embarrassment of riches for Coach Dan Bylsma and GM Ray Shero. Perhaps this will give them some bargaining chips come trade-deadline time. Here's hoping the Pens get healthy and find out what they're going to do soon. Let's Go Pens!!!