http://tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=319423

BUFFALO, N.Y. - Buffalo Sabres coach Lindy Ruff says it's up to leading scorer Thomas Vanek to determine whether he's ready to play in Game 6 of the team's first-round playoff series at Boston on Monday.

Ruff put the decision squarely on the shoulders of Vanek, who has spent the past two days testing his injured left ankle in practice.

The top-line forward has missed three games in a best-of-seven series which the Bruins lead 3-2.

Ruff said Vanek's "close" to returning. He added if the player knocks on his door on Monday and says he's ready, Vanek will play.

After practice Sunday, Vanek said his ankle was still sore, but he feels he can play. Vanek was walking with a noticeable limp.

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"Let's just trap Sekera in the caverns underneath HSBC arena." -BlueandYellow

Reporter: "Steve, you guys now lead the league in defensive scoring."
Montador: "It's probably because of how good-looking we are."

Please honestly assess yourself Thomas.

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Proud LGBTQQ Individual

Vanek has until Monday if he doesn't play he is a pussy.

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"Counting all the assholes in the room, I'm definitely not alone!" ~ Michael Poulsen, Volbeat, Still Standing.

Interesting... don't let us down if you think you're good enough to play Big V.

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I hope he doesnt play just to be on the ice, he better be ready to work.

WHAT'S UP WITH YOUR SIG?!?!

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"Counting all the assholes in the room, I'm definitely not alone!" ~ Michael Poulsen, Volbeat, Still Standing.

"walking with a noticeable limp" doesn't inspire confidence in his situation.

I don't know...there are some really tough guys out there that can play through the pain of a broken foot or hand or something and still make an impact...Vanek doesn't strike me as one of those types.

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Hold my beer and watch this...

It's hilarious, that's what's up with it.

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Someone posted a comment in another thread that really made the point:
Sometimes your body just won't do what your brain wants it to do.

We really don't know the extenet of this injury, but if he's walking with a limp, than he probably has a degree sprain that is not going to subside anytime soon.

Take it from someone (me) who has had chronic ankle injuries/problems for the past 28 years: It heals verrrrrrry slowly. I once had a sprain that took about 8 months for the swelling to go down. EIGHT MONTHS! Unfortunately, you always end up putting weight on it, which continually slows the process. These type injuries are a bitch and only time will heal it.

People are watching and hoping in day to day fashion with Vanek, but as I said, unlike many other injuries, healing time for this is often measured in months, not days or even weeks.

Being good enough to show up is one thing. Being good enough to compete at this intense physical level is another.

He played the first 40 games suffering from a minor groin injury, and various other injuries. I think that if he thinks he can play, and contribute, he will.

Thomas is a team first kind of guy though, if he doesn't feel like he can compete and contribute he wont go; but if he feels like he can make a difference being at less than 100% then he'll still go. The guy is a warrior, he wants to be in there. I don't care what anyone says, if he wasn't a tough guy, he wouldn't play in front of the net like he does. He takes more shafts and butt ends than Elton John on a weekend bender

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"She's like plan C after an 18 pack"

Squanto 7/27/2010

Which one, their all pretty entertaining to me lol
I would have this one but its too big.

In a sense yeah that is a downer but I have had injuries when I put normal pressure on the injury and it hurts but when Im playing and using that leg or arm more rapidly the pain fades.

My only question is if Vanek comes back what are the line combo's and who sits. Alot of people think Stafford or Gerbe? I would keep Gerbe in and sit Stafford.

Vaneks gonna say he wants to play..

If we lose, we are gonna be questioning the entire offseaon if he is the reason why we lost..

Just win baby!!

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Miller, Myers and Greir are sick, but not Jesus Christ..

KILL OTTAWA

We all know what he looked like during the first 40

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If we lose it doesnt look good for Vanek lol
If he stays out and we lose "Vanek should have quit being such a pussy and played"
If he plays and we lose "Vanek should have stopped trying to be a hero and kept his ass off the ice if he was hurting"

Unless he gets like a hat-trick and we still lose.


yeah.....JUST WIN

Vanek should have played 2 games ago the pussy.

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"Counting all the assholes in the room, I'm definitely not alone!" ~ Michael Poulsen, Volbeat, Still Standing.

I really hope you're using sarcasm.

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Rest in Peace Nani. 10/3/10

Gerbacity



"Grier coming in over the line. He leaves it to Gaustad. The shot. THEY SCOOOREE!! RING UP ANOTHER ONE FOR THE GOOSE!!! HONK IF YA HEAR THE GOOSE!! 3-0 BUFFALO!"

Honestly? You have to be joking dude.

Have you ever even had a high ankle sprain? Most people don't walk without crutches for at least a week. The fact he's been skating alone is a testament to the man's drive to compete.

If you want to hate on the guy; atleast have some common medical knowledge on the subject matter.

Most guys don't even begin rehabbing an injury like that for 5-7 days. After that it's another 7-21 given the severity of the injury.

I dont recall anybody calling Miller a pussy last year when he missed 12 starts due to injury last year, with the same exact injury.

The Vanek hate on this board is near intolerable at times.

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"She's like plan C after an 18 pack"

Squanto 7/27/2010

Calm down dude! It was sarcasm... Damn.

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"Counting all the assholes in the room, I'm definitely not alone!" ~ Michael Poulsen, Volbeat, Still Standing.