Vanek's status will be game-time decision
It looks like the status of Thomas Vanek will be a game-time decision for the Buffalo Sabres tonight when the Pittsburgh Penguins come to HSBC Arena.
Vanek, who suffered a leg contusion Wednesday against Boston, was one of the first players off the ice this morning and coach Lindy Ruff said the Sabres will dress an extra forward in the warmup in case the NHL's co-leader in goals needs to sit.
"He should be able to go," was Ruff's answer when asked about Vanek, whose 15 goals are tied with Philadelphia's Jeff Carter.
Defenseman Nathan Paetsch is going to be a scratch tonight but the rest of the lineup is uncertain. Maxim Afinogenov may be back in the press box as well as he stayed on the ice for extra work after practice. Daniel Paille, who missed Wednesday's game with the flu, may be back in.
Winger Ales Kotalik, who has been out with a hamstring injury, is getting closer to returning. Ruff said he could play Saturday in Montreal and would almost certainly be ready by Monday's game against Nashville.
"I still need a couple good skating practices. I'm thinking more Monday than tomorrow," Kotalik said. "It's not about pushing with no resistance. You've got to test it with short turns and stops and all those little battles. That's when you find out if it's good or not but I feel good. I will give it one or two days more and I'll be ready to go."
Ryan Miller will be in goal for Buffalo while rookie John Curry is expected to make his first NHL start for the Penguins in place of Dany Sabourin, who was pulled during Wednesday night's win at the New York Islanders.
The Penguins, defending Eastern Conference champions, are 8-1-1 in November. Starter Marc-Andre Fleury has been out with a strained groin suffered late in Pittsburgh's 5-2 win over the Sabres Nov. 15 in Mellon Arena.
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