"Thomas Vanek is back on the ice and hope is growing the injured Buffalo Sabres winger could play in games this weekend prior to the start of the Stanley Cup playoffs.

Vanek missed his fifth straight game Tuesday with what's believed to be a groin injury but went through many of the drills during the team's morning skate.

"Any time you miss some time, it's frustrating to watch but it's a good step to be back out there and do some of the drills," Vanek said. "I felt pretty good. Obviously I didn't go 100 percent. I'm just easing into it but overall I'm happy with the progress."

Vanek has 23 goals this season, one off the team lead. He was injured while forechecking March 27 against Tampa Bay.

"I battled their guy, I don't know if I stepped on his stick or something but I did the splits," Vanek said. "And I don't do the splits. It didn't feel too good."

The Sabres have three games left in the season, beginning Thursday in Boston, and Vanek said how he feels in practice today will make a big difference.

"It's so tough to tell with these things," he said. "Take it day by day, wake up and hopefully you don't have more pain than the day before. I know how tough it is to come back from injuries and if I can play a few games, that would help me out a lot."