Vanek will miss Game 3 for Sabres
BOSTON -- Injured Buffalo Sabres left wing Thomas Vanek will not play Monday night in Game 3 against the Boston Bruins, coach Lindy Ruff said after the team's morning skate. Vanek was seen entering the TD Garden Monday morning sporting a walking cast on his left leg.
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Buffalo's top goal scorer during the regular season, Vanek suffered a "lower body injury" during Game 2 on Saturday when he was hooked and slashed by Boston's Johnny Boychuk during a partial breakaway with under 7 minutes left in the opening period. Vanek left the ice and did not return and is considered doubtful for Game 3 Monday night at the Garden.
Boston coach Claude Julien was asked about the play this morning, and he said he's ready to turn the page.
"I don't think he [Boychuck] was over aggressive," Julien said. "He did a hockey play. I think it's pretty obvious and I don't want to dwell on this stuff. Vanek got hurt going into the boards. It's his left leg and not his right, so he got hurt [crashing into the boards]."
Buffalo got better news on forward Drew Stafford, who will return to the lineup after beeing out of action the last couple of weeks due to a concussion.
Joe McDonald covers the Bruins for ESPNBoston.com. Information from Matt Kalman of ESPNBoston.com and The Associated Press was used in this report.
- Red Sox and Bruins beat reporter
- Covered Boston teams since 1992
- Joined ESPNBoston.com in 2010
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