"If you were in HSBC Arena on Saturday afternoon or watching on television when Thomas Vanek crashed into the end boards late in the first period and did a one-legged hobble off the ice, your thoughts probably went something like this:

That looked bad. Really bad. As in end-of-postseason bad.

Vanek is doubtful for Game Three against the Boston Bruins on Monday night in TD Garden. But the news coming from the Buffalo Sabres' optional skate Sunday morning in HSBC was surprisingly upbeat.

Vanek and coach Lindy Ruff insist the star winger will play again in this series. And Vanek is even pointing at Game Four on Wednesday night.

The Sabres haven't classified the injury as anything but "lower-body." Vanek said nothing is broken, leading to the likely conclusion he's dealing with a severe sprain of the left ankle. He favored it off the ice after the collision with Boston's Johnny Boychuk and had a pronounced limp Sunday. He did not skate.

"I'm still hoping for [Monday night] even though I know deep down it's a stretch," Vanek said. "I would say Wednesday then. If it's not Wednesday then, I don't know. Maybe the next game [Friday]. But the good part is that I feel like and we feel like I'll be back for the series."

Vanek traveled with the team to Boston on Sunday afternoon. He said he hasn't ruled out trying to skate during today's morning skate."