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How will the Buffalo Sabres salvage their goalie situation?

By Sion Fawkes

Jan 18, 2022; Ottawa, Ontario, CAN; Buffalo Sabres goalie Michael Houser (32) defends the goal in the second period against the Ottawa Senators at the Canadian Tire Centre. Mandatory Credit: Marc DesRosiers-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 18, 2022; Ottawa, Ontario, CAN; Buffalo Sabres goalie Michael Houser (32) defends the goal in the second period against the Ottawa Senators at the Canadian Tire Centre. Mandatory Credit: Marc DesRosiers-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Buffalo Sabres suffered yet another massive loss in the net just two days after the NHL suspended Aaron Dell for three games. 

The Buffalo Sabres placed Michael Houser onto the COVID-19 List on Friday and it could not have come at a worse time. Before testing positive for COVID-19, the Sabres expected Houser to hold the fort down at netminder in place of Dell, who the NHL suspended on Wednesday.

It’s a demoralizing situation for Houser, who posted a 2-0 record and a .948 save percentage this season. By capitalizing on the potential opportunity in the net, Houser could have joined the discussion to at least play a part-time role following the 2021-22 season. COVID delayed those hopes, and it leaves the Sabres in a vulnerable situation.

With Michael Houser testing positive for COVID-19, how will the Buffalo Sabres respond?

Houser’s positive test at least comes with a little good news: Both Craig Anderson and Dustin Tokarski were full-go in practice on Friday. General manager Kevyn Adams confirmed the Sabres at least planned on dressing Anderson for the weekend road trip that will involve the Arizona Coyotes and Colorado Avalanche.

Anderson, who missed nearly three months with a neck injury, is one option. But it still raises the question, will he be 100 percent? Expect Anderson, who posted a 4-2 record and .921 save percentage this season, to have some rust. Even against a struggling team like the Coyotes.

Tokarski, on the COVID list for nearly two months, describes his prolonged absence as, “COVID fog issues.” If Tokarski is healthy enough for the road trip, the Sabres will at least have some proven experience at netminder. Tokarski has been solid but unspectacular at goalie this season, posting a 4-5-3 record in 12 starts.

The ideal situation? Anderson is healthy enough to start and at least looks somewhat like he did early in the season, when he helped the Sabres leap out to a 5-2-1 start. If Tokarski can back up Anderson, then the Sabres have a good chance to at least split on this weekend road trip.

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The worst situation? Anderson and Tokarksi both have lingering issues, forcing the Sabres to improvise. Let’s just hope Anderson can man the net for the weekend and perhaps beyond.

(All statistics provided by Hockey-Reference)

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