At The Final Horn | Anderson returns, makes 27 saves in win over Coyotes

It was all-hands-on-deck for the Buffalo Sabres on Saturday.
Before the team's game against the Arizona Coyotes at Gila River Arena, three players - Rasmus Dahlin, Rasmus Asplund and Victor Olofsson - and five staff members - including assistant coach Matt Ellis - entered the NHL's COVID-19 protocol.
Buffalo's depth was already being pushed to the limit with eight players already out due to injuries and other COVID cases that surfaced before they flew out to Arizona.
So, the team started the game with 11 forwards, seven defensemen and no healthy scratches. In goal, Craig Anderson returned to the crease for the first time since November 2. Dustin Tokarski, in his first game November 29, served as the backup.
Anderson had missed 32 games with an upper-body injury while Tokarski was recovering from the effects of COVID.
The result?
Anderson made 27 saves on 28 shots to lead Buffalo to a 3-1 victory.
Peyton Krebs and Alex Tuch recorded a goal and an assist each, and Kyle Okposo also scored.
Shayne Gostisbehere tallied for the Coyotes while Karel Vejmelka stopped 32 shots.
Buffalo's power play was 1-for-3. The penalty kill finished 1-for-2.

How it happened

Okposo scored on the power play 7:02 into the game, firing in a low shot from the top of the right faceoff circle. Okposo had missed the previous three games with an upper-body injury.
Then with 4:53 remaining in the opening period, Krebs finished off a 2-on-1 with Casey Mittelstadt by burying a wrist shot top shelf.

Tuch and Krebs skated in and set up a quick give-and-go for Buffalo's third goal. As Tuch raced into the zone, he left the puck for Krebs on the left wing and then headed toward the net, where he redirected Krebs' feed in past Vejmelka.
Gostisbehere put the Coyotes on the board with 8:30 remaining in tegularion when his point shot found its way in.

Roll the highlight film

Let's look at Mittelstadt's awesome saucer pass to Krebs:

Worthy of a mention

• Mittelstadt recorded his first assist of the season on Krebs' goal. He has played in only six games this year due to injury, and that helper marked his first assist since May 6 of last season.
• Krebs now has three assists in his career and all three have come as primaries on Tuch goals.
• Tuch, meanwhile, has 12 points (4+8) in 11 games with the Sabres this season.
• Four minutes into the game, Will Butcher fell into corner behind the Buffalo net. He favored his left leg as he had to be helped off the ice and did not return.
• Goaltender Aaron Dell was placed on waivers Saturday afternoon. He is currently serving a three-game suspension by the NHL.

Coming up

Buffalo's three-game road trip continues Sunday night against the Colorado Avalanche. Faceoff is at 8 p.m. on MSG and WGR 550. Pregame coverage on MSG begins at 7:30.