Predictably, there was little news from the Sabres about Thomas Vanek's status after Saturday's game other than the standard issue playoff-time "lower-body" injury. But Lindy Ruff was clearly not happy with what he referred to as a "two-hander" by Boston defenseman Johnny Boychuk.
Ruff did say, "I would anticipate him going to Boston," although that doesn't necessarily mean tomorrow on the team flight. And most important, that doesn't give any indication if Vanek is going to be playing anytime soon.
No question the injury deflated both the team and the HSBC Arena crowd.
"Sometimes when your key player goes down like that, there's a little bit of a letdown,' Ruff said. "You can't really explain it. That line (Vanek-Derek Roy-Tim Kennedy) was going pretty good for us. Thomas was going good. You're obviously disappointed."
The first thought to replace Vanek would be Drew Stafford, but Ruff may have thrown water on that theory when he pointed out Stafford has yet to be cleared for contact after suffering his concussion in Ottawa last Saturday.
The only other viable option appears to summon Nathan Gerbe back from Portland, where he was sent yesterday.
---Mike Harrington
(www.twitter.com/bnharrington)
tagged
Sabres | Sabres coaching
