"At some point today, after Thomas Vanek tests his injured left ankle yet again, the Buffalo Sabres' winger will limp over to the coach's office for a chat with Lindy Ruff.

"He knocks on my door [today] and says, "I'm ready,' he's playing," Ruff said.

It should be an interesting chat. Vanek, by all accounts, continues to feel improvement in his ankle. Also by all accounts, he's far from healthy. He limps constantly and has trouble stopping, turning and shooting.

The discussion between the coach and player in Boston will be to determine if Vanek, even in a limited role, can help the Sabres beat the Bruins tonight in Game Six to keep their season alive.

"That's the thing," Vanek said after Sunday's practice in HSBC Arena. "Is it worth it to play those seven to nine minutes? Like I said, I feel like I can go, but we've got to be smart and realistic about it.

"I've never said I can't play. I wanted to play the last two, but obviously we talked and we have to be realistic about it. If he doesn't feel like or we both don't feel like I can really help the team, then there's no point in going and taking a spot away from somebody else."

Vanek has been out since the first period of Game Two, though he's been skating since Wednesday and had two lengthy on-ice sessions over the weekend."