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Sabres' Vanek plans to play Wednesday

Tuesday, 03.03.2009 / 11:08 AM / News
NHL.com
After missing the last nine games with a fractured jaw, Buffalo Sabres winger Thomas Vanek said he is ready to return to the lineup.

Vanek was hurt Feb. 7 in Ottawa after being hit in the face with a puck. He returned to practice last week with the protection of a cage.

"I had a week of good skating, got back into the battle drills today and hopefully I can get cleared to play Wednesday [against the Montreal Canadiens]," he said.

For the Sabres, who have struggled to produce offensively as of late - registering three goals in the last three games - Vanek’s goal scoring will be welcomed. The winger is currently ranked eighth in the NHL with 32 goals through 54 games.

"It’s a big plus," Head Coach Lindy Ruff said. "But I think the question is how ready is he going to be? Can he answer the physical, can he answer the conditioning? We hope he can."

Vanek believes the injury may have worked in his favor.

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