Sabres LW Vanek doubtful for Game 3 against Boston, but doesn’t rule himself out of series

Sabres LW Vanek doubtful for Game 3 against Bruins

BUFFALO, N.Y. — Injured Sabres left wing Thomas Vanek will likely miss Game 3 of Buffalo’s Eastern Conference playoff series against the Boston Bruins.

Vanek, however, didn’t rule himself out of the series tied at a game apiece.

Buffalo’s top goal scorer was injured after he was hooked and slashed by Boston’s Johnny Boychuk during a partial breakaway with under 7 minutes left in the opening period of the Bruins’ Game 2 win Saturday.

Vanek slid hard into the end boards and had difficulty putting weight on his left foot.

Right wing Drew Stafford, meanwhile, will undergo tests Sunday to determine whether he can return for Game 3 on Monday. He has been sidelined with a concussion sustained in the second-to-last game of the regular season against Ottawa.