The Buffalo Sabres will be without their leading scorer tonight when they host the Toronto Maple Leafs at First Niagara Center (7 p.m.).

Thomas Vanek will miss the game with a lower body injury, after absorbing a slapshot from teammate Christian Ehrhoff on the hip during the second period of Tuesday’s win in Montreal. The NHL’s 10th-leading scorer left the game shortly afterwards but never returned.

Vanek hasn’t skated since Tuesday’s game, and interim head coach Ron Rolston said they’re hoping to get him back on the ice Friday. Rolston said Vanek remains a possibility for Saturday’s return match in Montreal.

Look for Drew Stafford to draw into Vanek’s spot on the second line with Tyler Ennis and Ville Leino, and John Scott will be inserted into the lineup on the fourth line with Jochen Hecht and Patrick Kaleta.

Andrej Sekera took part in today’s morning skate, but will join Vanek on the sidelines tonight, missing his third straight game with an upper body injury. Nathan Gerbe is expected to be a healthy scratch for the second game in a row.

Ryan Miller will be in search of his first win in almost three weeks tonight, while looking to add to his career-best numbers against the Maple Leafs. Miller is 28-15-1 all-time against Toronto, with a 2.45 GAA and .921 save percentage. The 28 wins and four shutouts Miller has posted against Toronto are his most versus any opponent.