Sabres fans get good news for game six

BOSTON, M.A. (WIVB) -  

Thomas Vanek is making his long-awaited return for game six. It's the news fans have been waiting for as the Sabres fight to stay alive in the Stanley Cup playoffs.

The Sabres have been without Thomas Vanek for the last three playoff games. They've had one win and two losses. We're going to find out if he's a difference maker in game six.

It may be just the boost the Sabres need for this critical game in Boston. Thomas Vanek will be back in the lineup. The decision was made Monday morning after Vanek told coach Lindy Ruff that he was ready to go.

The Sabres leading-goal scorer has missed the last three games with an ankle injury. Vanek did not talk to reporters Monday morning, but you do get the sense that he is not 100 percent, but he is good enough to try and help keep the Sabres alive in the series.

Sabres head coach Lindy Ruff said, "I've said to him it's gotta go all in. It's all in right off the bat. And that doesn't mean he can make it through the game or not make it through the game, I don't know. But you can't ease into this game. This isn't a game you can ease into. It's all out right from the start."

"He does bring a new element to our offense and he looks like he's getting around the ice just fine," said Sabres goalie Ryan Miller.

Bruins forward Blake Wheeler said, "He's a dynamic player. He's out in the first game, first period probably, you know, he adds a different dimension."

"We've had to play against the Ovechkin's and the Crosby's before. We've always had adjusted well enough. I don't think Vanek is gonna be a guy that's really gonna throw us off our game," said Bruins head coach Claude Julien.

It's a bit of a snarky comment from Claude Julien. Maybe Lindy Ruff could say the same about Mark Savard. The Bruins star is a possibility to play on Monday as he comes back from a concussion that has kept him off the ice since early in March.