Vanek skips practice; Kotalik close
Thomas Vanek, who missed part of the second period Saturday with a lower-body injury, skipped the Sabres' holiday practice today. He expects to be back fo Friday's game against the Penguins in HSBC Arena.
"I came back and finished the game, so there's no reason I shouldn't play tomorrow," Vanek told The Buffalo News.
Vanek, walking with a noticeable limp, was injured when hit along the boards by Boston bruiser Milan Lucic.
"I just dumped the puck and didn't see him coming," Vanek said. "I felt like I was in a bit of a vulnerable position, but there's nothing you can do. That's what he does."
Meanwhile, winger Ales Kotalik did drills with linemates for the first time and told The News he expects to be back in the lineup "definitely Monday, maybe Saturday." Kotalik suffered a hamstring injury two weeks ago.
---John Vogl
