The Bruins worked so hard just to make it into the playoffs that they figured they might as well stick around for a while and see how far their chemistry, muscle and goaltending can carry them.

The Sabres are getting their best forward back in time for Game 6 tonight, but we'll have to wait to see if the Bruins get theirs. Thomas Vanek will return for Buffalo, and Marc Savard is hoping to do the same for Boston.

Sabres winger Thomas Vanek still isn't fully recovered from a sprained left ankle, but he could be ready to play in Game 6 on a limited basis. Vanek participated in a full 50-minute workout at HSBC Arena on Sunday and practiced with the second power-play unit.
 
Sabres coach Lindy Ruff is leaving the decision to Vanek, who was sidelined in the first period of Game 2 when he slammed into the boards. Vanek, who spoke to the media about 30 minutes before Ruff on Sunday, said he would leave the decision to the coach.

The Bruins and Sabres have had enough of each other and more, and now it appears their coaches are prepared to start lobbing verbal grenades.

Bruins defenceman Zdeno Chara was given an instigator penalty in the closing seconds of Game 5, which should mean he would be automatically suspended for the next game according to league rules. The penalty was not announced after the game.
 
It would be surprising if the NHL held up the automatic penalty in the playoffs. Last year, the league rescinded a suspension last year during the Stanley Cup final after Penguins center Evgeni Malkin was issued an instigator against Detroit.