We'll have to watch the warmup closely tonight to see who's in the lineup when the Sabres meet the Penguins. Here's what I gleaned from the morning skate:
1). Thomas Vanek is iffy. Seemed to be favoring his leg, was off the ice quick and not around when the media was in the dressing room, a rarity.
2). Nathan Paetsch is one scratch but the others are uncertain.
3). Maxim Afinogenov did a lot of extra work, which is one sign he may not be playing. He skated much better Wednesday but was still involved in a couple rough defensive plays, including Boston's first goal.
4). Daniel Paille (flu) sat out Wednesday's game but it appears he'll be back as he skated some drills with Adam Mair and Patrick Kaleta. Might mean Andrew Peters is out. Might mean Afinogenov is the extra forward Lindy Ruff was talking about who will take the warmup if Vanek can't go.
The Sabres certainly need Vanek against Pittsburgh but they also have games tomorrow in Montreal and Monday in Nashville. You don't want his injury getting worse by playing tonight with the rough schedule coming up. Should make for a pretty interesting news cycle in the 7 o'clock hour tonight.
---Mike Harrington
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Sabres game day
