Ordinarily, the situation might open the door for prospect Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen to make his NHL debut, but Rochester Americans coach Seth Appert announced Wednesday that the 22-year-old is day-to-day with a lower-body injury as well.
"It's a challenging situation," Granato said. "But Tokarski will play. I have no updates on the other guys and I won't until we get back (to Buffalo on Friday). We're just getting through."
Granato said it had not yet been decided who will serve as the team's third goaltender against the Capitals. Michael Houser, who is currently on the taxi squad, would presumably back up Tokarski. Luukkonen is the organization's only other goaltender on an NHL deal.
Stefanos Lekkas started for Rochester in Luukkonen's absence on Wednesday, his second AHL game since joining the team on a professional tryout on March 17.
Tokarski stopped 29 of 31 shots in relief of Ullmark on Tuesday. He has a .905 save percentage in six games with the Sabres, his first NHL action since 2016.
"He just looks more comfortable, which shows me his timing, his feel for the level, shooters at this level, maybe his comfort within our system knowing high-pattern shot chance types against," Granato said. " … He's progressed nicely, I think, in those areas fast."
Riley Sheahan will also be out after sustaining an injury on a hit into the boards by Bruins forward Nick Ritchie on Tuesday. Tobias Rieder will draw back into the lineup in his place.
