Thomas Vanek doesn't look quite right.

Never an NHL speedster, the burst he had seems to have lessened. The "wow" moments have tailed off. His goal total has, too. The Buffalo Sabres' perennial leader is tied atop the team's chart, but he's well behind the pace of his usual 40.

So a big question heading into tonight's visit by the Boston Bruins to HSBC Arena is what's up with Vanek? Is he hurt?

"I'm OK," he said Thursday. "I'm all good."

Rediscovering that "wow" factor through skating and moving could help bring back the old Vanek.

"There was [instances he wasn't moving], no doubt," Ruff said. "We're not going to try to run from that. We've dealt with that over the years that sometimes if you're just standing and reading you get run over by the traffic coming from behind.

"First and foremost, you've got to get up and go. If you're standing there looking for that hole, it isn't going to be there. If you're moving looking for that hole, you should be able to find it."

The fact that we've had this much success early on with Vanek playing like shit is pretty encouraging.

He just needs to get himself going.

What's been even more noticeable to me than his lack of speed and energy has been his horrible decision making with the puck on 2-on-1 and 3-on-2 breaks. He just looks hesitant and indecisive, gliding in slow motion, sliding bad passes through traffic...he seems like he's lost confidence right now everywhere except in front of the net.

Something is really off.

He factored into both goals Wednesday. I didn't check the stats, but I believe he had two assists. I wish the rest of the team had been that "off" that night.

He factored into both goals Wednesday. I didn't check the stats, but I believe he had two assists. I wish the rest of the team had been that "off" that night.

He factored into both goals Wednesday. I didn't check the stats, but I believe he had two assists. I wish the rest of the team had been that "off" that night.

I haven't been satisfied with his play, no. But I do think the guy takes a lot more flack on these boards than he maybe deserves. Bottom line to me is Buffalo is 12-5-1 and Vanek has 12 points. I'll take it so far.

hahahaha..everyone gettin' on vanek's case now....he's hardly the problem of this team....wait till he gets on a hot streak...everyone will be cheering for him....

he's hardly having a bad year thus far....superstar year ? not yet but he will....he has 16gp w/ 6 goals and 6 assits for 12 points...and he is a plus 1......wait till he goes on a hot streak and is leading the team in goals and maybe points as well....

there are alot of other clowns on this roster we should be tearing a new one, and running out of town...vanek is not the issue on this team.....