"Training camp is over and the Buffalo Sabres went into regular-season mode Tuesday with their 75-minute practice in HSBC Arena.

Things are looking good for star winger Thomas Vanek and backup goaltender Patrick Lalime to be ready for the opening weekend, Friday at Ottawa and Saturday's home opener against the New York Rangers. Although not in full-contact mode, both went through Tuesday's entire workout and should get a bigger test today.

"I would anticipate there's a good chance for both players [to be dressed for the game]," said coach Lindy Ruff. "But I'm not going to say one way or the other right now."

The last holdup figures to be today's workout, when Vanek (neck) and Lalime (groin) will be put through tougher paces.

"I feel good," Vanek said. "It was a good test for me and it felt fine. I did a little exercise [Monday] and I felt pretty good. I was pretty confident I'd feel good and I did."

"I think [Tuesday] was a good step for him to get back on the ice," Ruff said. "He skated before practice and we involved him in some of the drills. I would anticipate [today] would almost be a full go for practice."

Vanek was injured during Thursday's game in Montreal, when he took two shots to the neck in rapid succession in the first period. The second was as he was falling to the ice just after he scored the game's first goal.

"It's never fun to miss time but at the same time you can't mess around with head injuries nowadays," Vanek said. "It is frustrating but it's only been a few days so it's not too bad."

Captain Craig Rivet (throat contusion) was given full clearance for contact Tuesday and has the green light for the game. He was paired Tuesday with Mike Weber, leaving Chris Butler and Andrej Sekera the first odd-pair out on defense."