(WGR 550) -- Heading into the playoffs, there were two teams in the Eastern Conference that had failed to figure out how to contain Thomas Vanek: Boston and Tampa Bay.

Make that one.

Johnny Boychuk's slash to the knee of Vanek sent him awkwardly into the HSBC Arena boards, making the the high-scoring forward's return to the series an important question mark. Up to that point, Vanek had registered 1.05 points-per-game against the B's in the regular season. Only the Lightning had less success against the Austrian (1.1).

So with one chop, it's my opinion that this series is 100 percent up-for-grabs, regardless of what some may tell you. Buffalo still has Ryan Miller, and while that's probably enough to get them out of Round One, the order for a series win just became a much taller one.

Vanek has posted 39 points in 36 games against the Bruins, including his goal in Game One and assist in the 4:22 he played in Game Two. While his production in the 2005-06 playoff run was basically absent, the knock on Vanek's postseason run was less valid in 06-07. His 10 points tied for third on the team. His six goals had him alone in second.

His goofy-looking stride makes him an easy target for those who want to label him as lazy, but the truth is that Vanek's been as important to this team's post-Drury/Briere success as any player not named Miller. Buffalo is a combined 8-10-2 without the left winger since the 2007-08 season began. The Sabres are 78-49-17 with him.

I'll let his enemies argue that validity of those stats, but it's hard to argue with the offensive repetoire Vanek brings to the table. Anyone can stand in front of the net and cause trouble for the opposition. It takes someone special to wreak the havoc Vanek does, supplying passing as well as redirection and shooting. Unfortunately, his skill in front of the net have taken away from our notice of his heavy, accurate shot that's spun the goal light silly on many occasions.

The Sabres aren't dead on the frozen water without Vanek, especially in this series. A prolonged absence, however, casts a season that once looked so promising into an old and eerie light. Get well soon, Thomas.

(WGR 550) -- For those Sabres fans staring at the Eastern Conference standings, with the number 8 sitting next to Buffalo, and wondering what the team's next move will be, ponder this:

Where would they be without No. 26?

As Thomas Vanek continues to lead the team in almost every important offensive category, the Sabres continue their fight to stay above .500. Where's the league's leading goal scorer in all this? Backchecking, blocking shots and, on Monday in Pittsburgh, shoulder-to-the-goal-post, attempting a save.

Another thing: He's 24 years-old.
Lindy Ruff has asked his left winger to be better, and Vanek has complied, while Ruff continues to call Vanek's play to be "just the tip of the iceberg."

Somewhere in that tip, there's now leadership by example.

Throughout the course of last year's roller-coaster ride to a long summer, Vanek was always available in the locker room after games, understanding his responsibility as a $49 million man in Buffalo. Throw-in an extremely rocky start to that campaign -- he didn't score his 20th goal until Feb. 12 in Ottawa -- and a new baby, and Vanek had a lot of growing up to do.

Recording four hat-tricks in the last 27 games of 2007-08, Ruff then asked his star to do what any other head coach would: backcheck and penalty kill. Right.

While some would have doubted the idea, Vanek has responded by being one of only two regular skaters with a positive plus/minus ratio and pacing the league's third best penalty kill. He's also second in the NHL in shorthanded goals (2), game-winning goals (3) and power-play goals (8). By the way, he's only missed one regular season game in his career -- April 3, 2006 -- and has suited up in 198 consecutive games.

This year, the team is 3-7-1 when he doesn't register a point. (He also leads Austrian-born NHL players with 18:34 of ice-time per game. Take that, Andreas Nodl).

All this with team goaltending that, statistically, has been in the middle of the pack, 14th in goals-against average (2.81) and 18th in save percentage (.900).

So, let's ask again: Where would the Sabres be without No. 26?

At some point, we might want to talk about thanking Kevin Lowe. (Not really).

Email: nick@wgr550.com