Vanek now in roster roulette

We'll have to watch the warmup closely tonight to see who's in the lineup when the Sabres meet the Penguins. Here's what I gleaned from the morning skate:

1). Thomas Vanek is iffy. Seemed to be favoring his leg, was off the ice quick and not around when the media was in the dressing room, a rarity.

2). Nathan Paetsch is one scratch but the others are uncertain.

3). Maxim Afinogenov did a lot of extra work, which is one sign he may not be playing. He skated much better Wednesday but was still involved in a couple rough defensive plays, including Boston's first goal.

4). Daniel Paille (flu) sat out Wednesday's game but it appears he'll be back as he skated some drills with Adam Mair and Patrick Kaleta. Might mean Andrew Peters is out. Might mean Afinogenov is the extra forward Lindy Ruff was talking about who will take the warmup if Vanek can't go.

The Sabres certainly need Vanek against Pittsburgh but they also have games tomorrow in Montreal and Monday in Nashville. You don't want his injury getting worse by playing tonight with the rough schedule coming up. Should make for a pretty interesting news cycle in the 7 o'clock hour tonight.

---Mike Harrington

Comments

[Buffalo Excuses]

Have to agree tim, but with a grimace cause we put ourselves in this place.

[tim]

Although I am not a firm believer in the whole "It's only November" mantra I do think that it is important to rest hurt players especially when they are our stars. The Sabres are by no means in a comfortable position and every game is a must win right now but I still think that if they play their guts out injured or sick during the earlier months they will be much less likely to make any kind of push in the late season or playoffs. So, I say if Thomas is ailing, sit him, let him get healthy so in March we are not bitching about that nagging leg injury from November.

[Dave]

I'd rather see Peters play than Max.

[Bryan]

According to insidepittsburghsports.com, Curry is playing.

[Chad]

I just answered my own question:

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/08333/931384-100.stm

[Chad]

Any news on whether Pittsburgh is starting Sabourin or Curry tonight? Sabourin got yanked and Curry came on to get the win against the Isles. It would be Curry's first NHL start, so, obviously, I'd like to see him.

[Derek]

Hmmm...what sense does that make if Peters didn't do extra work, but didn't skate on the 4th. And the fact that Max did?

Maybe Paille just needed to get some practice in and Vanek will not be able to go?