Thomas Vanek was one of the hottest players in the NHL during the first week of the season, but the second week isn't going as well.

Vanek will miss Buffalo's game Sunday afternoon against the Washington Capitals at Verizon Center, coach Lindy Ruff told reporters before the game.

"Thomas isn?t OK," Ruff told John Vogl of the Buffalo News. "Just day-to-day, really. He skated this morning but isn?t quite there."

Vanek has three goals and nine points in three games, but he left the team's contest Friday with a muscle strain.