Pens Points: NHL on Break, so Watch Kapanen Instead

Hope everyone had a great Christmas. There aren't that many news given that the NHL is on a 3-day hiatus, but people are starting to make best-of-the-year lists so there is still plenty to share with everyone. Off we go.

The players and coaches got to take a few days off, spend it with family and hopefully come back healthier heading into the All Star break in January. [PPG]

Today's must-read: Tom Fitzgerald and Jason Botterill talk about the Pens top 10 prospects for the 2014-15 season. [PPG]

The Pens play the Capitals tomorrow, and it will be the first opportunity for many Pens fans to see former fan faves Brooks Orpik and Matt Niskanen wearing Caps jerseys. Interesting article on how the Caps are a completely different team when leading versus being behind in games. [Japers Rink]

Josh Yohe caught up with Brooks Orpik and wrote this excellent article on Orpik's retrospective of his years as a Penguin and reasons why change was a good thing for him. [Trib]

How has Orpik actually played so far this season? Well, not exactly stellar, but that's not an overnight phenomenon. In truth, the offseason change was a good thing for Orpik and the Penguins. [Hockey Buzz]

NHL players sound off on the best Christmas presents they ever received. It's pretty much hockey sticks and video games. [YouTube]

Goalies steal the show in NHL's top 10 debuts between the pipes. [The Hockey News]

I don't really read this site because there's rarely anything decent written, but every once in a blue moon there's something worth sharing - the top 10 most heart-warming hockey moments of the year. [Puck Daddy]

IIHF World Junior Championships start today north of the border and here's your schedule. Don't miss Kasperi Kapanen in Finland against USA at 3 pm today. [IIHF]

Here is a breakdown of prospects for every NHL team we'll get to see at WJC. [The Hockey Writers]

A focused and ready Jack Eichel is set to lead team USA. [USA Today]

It comes as a surprise to exactly no one that Zach Fucale will start for Canada in goal. [Pro Hockey Talk]

There isn't exactly a bevy of young Canadian goalies, so some are posing this question: does Canada have a problem with developing goaltenders? [Canadian Press]

Set your DVRs for WJC games, and go Eichel and team USA!