Tokarski to start as Sabres open back-to-back set in Pittburgh

Don Granato said he has seen signs of a turning tide in the Buffalo Sabres' approach since taking over as interim head coach last Wednesday.
The Sabres erased a 3-1 deficit early during the third period of their game against the New York Rangers on Monday, but a power-play goal against and an empty netter resulted in a 5-3 loss.
Buffalo gets another chance to snap its 14-game winless streak (0-12-2) when it opens a back-to-back set in Pittsburgh on Wednesday night.

"We'll get to the other side," Granato said. "I believe our guys are in a good mindset with respect to that. I also believe they're tactically dialed in on things that can bring consistency and more control to them individually and collectively as a group. They're identifying with things that can really push them out of this but also give them foundational confidence to win on a more consistent basis.
"And when I say win - win little battles, win situations. Eventually those things add up to winning games. I do feel the direction that we wanted to establish and build from … is going the way it needs to go. Everything is a process, but I do believe that's there. Each game is an evaluation of where you're at. What do you do next? That's how we take tonight."

Dustin Tokarski will make his first NHL start since Dec. 21, 2015 and is expected to be backed up by Michael Houser. Tokarski entered the game on Monday following an early injury to goaltender Carter Hutton and stopped 33 of 37 shots. Hutton has since traveled back to Buffalo for further evaluations.
Houser, 28, has never appeared in an NHL game. He spent the past two seasons with Buffalo's ECHL affiliate, the Cincinnati Cyclones.

Scouting the Penguins

Pittsburgh has had two days to recover following a stretch of five games over seven days that concluded with an overtime loss to New Jersey on Sunday. Forwards Evgeni Malkin, Teddy Blueger, and Brandon Tanev all sustained injuries during that run and will be out on Wednesday.
The line of Jake Guentzel, Sidney Crosby, and Bryan Rust has driven the offense during Malkin's three-game absence, accounting for five of Pittsburgh's six goals in that span. Pittsburgh is 1-1-1 in those contests.
Tristan Jarry will get the nod in goal for the Penguins.

Tune in

The game will be televised nationally on NBCSN. Puck drop is scheduled for 8 p.m.