On Sunday, Buffalo head coach Lindy Ruff said that it was up to Thomas Vanek whether the Sabres' sniper would be in the lineup for Game 6. On Monday, however, Ruff was a bit more clear, saying he expected Vanek to play.
"All indications point to him playing," Ruff said of the Sabres' leading goal scorer, who has been out since suffering a high ankle sprain in Game 2. "The only decision I can make is whether I think his conditioning will be enough to get him through a game. I think it will be. He indicated [Sunday] that he felt he was ready to play."
The Buffalo News then reported that Vanek is a definite, and his teammates are excited to have their most dangerous offensive weapon back. They are also reporting Drew Stafford will be in the press box to make room for Vanek's return.
"He's been on the ice for the last couple days and he wanted to play in Game 3," captain Craig Rivet said. "Obviously, watching him walk, you didn't have to put too much thought into it that he needed more time to heal. But he's had some time and they've done a ton of work on him off ice. He feels real confident, he's skating well. And watching him shoot the puck today, it was like, 'Wow, it's nice to get a guy like that back who has a knack for the net.' He feels real confident with his leg and we're real happy to have him back."
Goalie Ryan Miller (2-3-0 with 2.02 GAA and .936 save percentage), who has done his job of keeping as many Bruins shots out of the Buffalo net as possible, is hoping Vanek can help the Sabres put more shots of their own past Bruins goalie Tuukka Rask, who is 3-2-0 with a 2.03 GAA and .933 save percentage.
"He's excited to be back," Miller said. "It's been tough for him to watch just talking to him. He does bring a new element to our offense. It looks like he's getting around the ice just fine."
