The Buffalo Sabres’ quandary at goaltender became more complicated Friday when Michael Houser was placed in the NHL’s COVID-19 protocol.
The 29-year-old Houser was the lone for-sure available goaltender for Buffalo’s road game against the Arizona Coyotes on Saturday night.
The Sabres have four other ailing goaltenders and another serving a suspension.
Houser left Friday’s practice early, presumably due to getting news he had tested positive for the virus. He was 2-0-0 with a 2.00 goals-against average and a .948 save percentage in two starts since being recalled from Rochester of the American Hockey League.
Craig Anderson, who has missed nearly three months with a neck injury, participated in Friday’s practice. So did Dustin Tokarski, who has missed 20 games since coming down with COVID-19.
Tokarski has been dealing with COVID fog issues, according to the Sabres. He told the Buffalo News on Friday that he might be able to play Saturday.
“I think it’s possible, but I don’t know,” said Tokarski, who has a 3.28 goals-against average while seeing action in 14 games. “It’s a day to day thing. As everyone’s been telling you, I wish we could give you more. But that’s actually the honest truth with it.
“Because some days you feel something, some days you don’t and we’re working together with the doctors and coaches and staff to make up a plan that is good for everyone, good for the team, good for myself health-wise.”
Other Buffalo goalies Malcolm Subban (arm) and Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen (lower body) are sidelined with injuries sustained earlier this month, while Aaron Dell will be serving the first contest of a three-game suspension for body-checking Ottawa’s Drake Batherson into the end boards on Tuesday. Batherson sustained a high sprain on his left ankle that will keep him off the ice for months.
Other options for the Sabres include signing a free agent or recalling Mat Robson from Rochester. Robson has never played in an NHL game.
–Field Level Media