Sabres LW Vanek leaves game

Feb 8, 2009 - 5:59 AM OTTAWA (Ticker) -- Buffalo Sabres All-Star left wing Thomas Vanek left Saturday's 3-2 shootout loss to the Ottawa Senators in the first period with a facial injury and did not return.

With 7:52 remaining in the opening session, Ottawa defenseman Anton Volchenkov unleashed a rising slap shot from the right point that hit Vanek directly in the face. The 25-year-old Austrian immediately skated off the ice and retreated to the locker room.

"Right now, he's suffered a laceration on his jaw," Buffalo coach Lindy Ruff said. "We don't know if there's any fracture there. We'll be evaluating him at home. He was in a lot of pain, which kept him out of the game.

"I think his teeth got pushed up a little bit. I can't really describe what happened, but the teeth are involved on the lower jar part. Thomas did say (the puck) hit him flat, which is probably a good break instead of it hitting him on edge."

Vanek entered Saturday tied with Philadelphia's Jeff Carter for second in the NHL in goals with 32. The 6-2, 208-pounder also has collected 20 assists in 54 games.

"It's kind of scary," Sabres goaltender Ryan Miller said. "It must be tough to get a puck in the face and then miss the rest of the night. "I hope it's nothing major. Hopefully, he'll have all of his teeth and doesn't have a concussion or anything."

"He works hard and scores a lot of goals for us," center Derek Roy added. "We need him back as soon as possible. I hope it's not a serious injury."

Drafted fifth overall in 2003, Vanek has registered 136 goals and 112 assists in 299 career contests.