Matt Ellis Misses Practice After Johnny Boychuk Hit, Thomas Vanek Doubtful for Game 4

WILMINGTON, Mass. — The Sabres practiced after the Bruins did on Tuesday, one day after Boston's 2-1 win at TD Garden. Not present on the ice for Buffalo was forward Matt Ellis, who was throttled by a thunderous open-ice hit from Johnny Boychuk as he carried the puck out of the Buffalo zone in the second period. According to NHL.com, Ellis suffered a broken nose on the play.

Also missing from the Sabres practice was forward Thomas Vanek, who suffered an ankle sprain in Game 2 of the series when he flew awkwardly into the boards after getting chased down by Boychuk on a partial breakaway.

Later in the day, the Sabres called up forward Cody McCormick from Portland (AHL). 

A healthy scratch in the first three games against the Bruins, defenseman/forward Chris Butler moved up to forward for Tuesday's practice.

Vanek, who led Buffalo with 28 goals during the regular season, remains doubtful for Game 4 in Boston. According to The Buffalo News, his left foot is still in an air cast and he "has yet to put regular footwear on his injured ankle."

"Each day there's improvements," Vanek told the newspaper. "We're doing a lot of treatments. It's tough to judge but I'm hopeful."