"Sabres leading scorer Thomas Vanek, who suffered a sprained ankle last Saturday in Game 2, skated for the third-straight day but won't be available for Game 5 Friday of Buffalo's Eastern Conference Quarterfinal final series against the Boston Bruins.

The Sabres trail the Bruins, 3-1, in the best-of-seven series.

"(Vanek's) getting closer," said Sabres coach Lindy Ruff said. "Yesterday (Thursday) was a pretty sore day for him. I think we're getting closer."

Ruff was asked if the Sabres' "mindset" was to have Vanek skate Saturday and Sunday so he could play Monday in Boston, if the Sabres avoid elimination Friday.

"There's no mindset," Ruff said. "If he felt he could play and be effective, he'd be in the lineup. We have one game to stay alive."

Ruff announced one other lineup change -- Nathan Gerbe would replace Raffi Torres. He also added that Cody McCormick, who had an assist on the Sabres' first goal in their 3-2 double-overtime loss in Game 4, would remain in the lineup.

Ruff initially was reluctant to discuss the switch to Gerbe, telling reporters, "You're hammering away at what I don't want to talk about. We're hoping it can bring us some scoring and maybe be a second-unit power-play guy who can add a little bit for us.""