AP In a season marred by injuries, the Sabres might’ve suffered their worst one yet.
Leading goalscorer Thomas Vanek didn’t leave the dressing room after the second intermission of last night’s 3-2 loss to Toronto. He finished with just 10:50 of ice time and didn’t record a shot on goal for the second-straight game — evidence the upper-body injury that’s kept him from practicing this week is a significant issue.
“It’s the same thing he’s been nursing. He couldn’t go,” Sabres coach Lindy Ruff said of Vanek leaving the contest. “He’s missed two practices. We didn’t have a lot of options. He tried to get through it and wasn’t able to.”
Nobody’s sure when or how Vanek suffered the injury, though there’s plenty of speculation trying to pinpoint it. Mike Harrington of the Buffalo News notes Vanek took a hit from Pittsburgh’s James Neal just prior to scoring on Saturday; Vanek wouldn’t specify the injury, but did say he got hurt during the Penguins game.
Vanek leads the team with 17 goals and has 36 points through 34 games. Should he miss any (more) time, he’ll join Tyler Ennis, Colin Stuart, Jochen Hecht, Corey Tropp, Nathan Gerbe, Tyler Myers, Brad Boyes and Ville Leino as Sabres currently out because of injury.
-
AP
The Red Wings’ star may go back to Russia after next season.
-
Getty Images
Back in Vegas next year.
-
Getty Images
Rare criticism for the Blackhawks’ captain.
-
Getty Images
SKA Saint Petersburg would be the club.
-
AP
“(He’s) a hell of a hockey player.”
-
He’s excited about the Avalanche’s future, but he also has other considerations.
-
Getty Images
The match will start at 7:30 p.m. ET.
-
Getty Images
Friday’s collection of links.
-
Getty Images
Typically, this is called.
-
Sharks ‘weren’t very good’ in a Game 5 loss, but ‘maybe that’s a good thing’
May 24, 2013, 2:46 AM EDT
Getty Images
On the brink of elimination.
-
Kings’ Quick ‘didn’t have to work hard’ in shutout win over Sharks
May 24, 2013, 2:28 AM EDT
Getty Images
Remember when he took the blame for first two losses against St. Louis?
-
Getty Images
Second goal in 27 games.
-
Discuss: Kings dominate Game 5, one win away from Western Conference final
May 24, 2013, 1:24 AM EDT
Getty Images
Home team has won every game in this series.
-
Getty Images
“Something’s got to give,” Jonathan Toews said.
-
Getty Images
Officially sidelined since Feb. 14 due to what GM Mike Gillis cited as safety concerns.
-
Rangers’ Lundqvist: Hagelin goal ‘probably the ugliest I’ve ever seen’
May 23, 2013, 11:44 PM EDT
Getty Images
Something you don’t see every game.
-
Getty Images
‘We’ve had streaks before,” he said.
-
Getty Images
Three straight penalties, still zero goals in the playoffs.
-
Video: Wings’ Abdelkader hacking and whacking at Blackhawks’ Crawford
May 23, 2013, 11:01 PM EDT
Getty Images
Detroit wins again.
-
Getty Images
The Chicago Blackhawks’ frustrations continue.
