GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) - Craig Anderson made 27 saves in his return from the injured list and the Buffalo Sabres beat the Arizona Coyotes 3-1 on Saturday night.

Kyle Okposo, Peyton Krebs and Alex Tuch scored to support Anderson in his first game since Nov.
2, when he sustained an upper-body injury in a 5-3 loss to San Jose. He missed 33 games.

"I felt like a kid again," the 40-year-old Anderson said. "I reminded myself of why I put in the work the last couple of months. I had fun. You are playing a kids' game. If it's not fun, it's not time to play any more."

Anderson lost his bid for his 44th career shutout when Shayne Gostisbehere scored from the deep slot on a power play at 11:30 of the third period.

Anderson's most recent shutout came with Ottawa when he stopped 35 shots in a 4-0 victory over Buffalo on March 26, 2019.

"I think he's probably one of the best play-readers in the league," Okposo said. "He kind of knows what's going to happen. We feel confident with him back there, and happy to see him get back and play well."

The Sabres played without All-Star defenseman Rasmus Dahlin and forwards Rasmus Asplund and Viktor Olofsson, who were placed in COVID-19 protocol after testing positive before the afternoon skate.

Dahlin has a team-high 21 assists and is tied for the team lead with 28 points.





Buffalo Sabres right wing Kyle Okposo (21) celebrates his goal against the Arizona Coyotes with centers Cody Eakin (20) and Dylan Cozens (24) during the first period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Jan. 29, 2022, in Glendale, Ariz.

(AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)






Buffalo Sabres goaltender Craig Anderson (41) has the puck bounce off his mask as Arizona Coyotes center Travis Boyd (72) closes in for a rebound during the first period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Jan. 29, 2022, in Glendale, Ariz.

(AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)






Arizona Coyotes left wing Loui Eriksson (21) shoves Buffalo Sabres center Mark Jankowski, front right, during the second period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Jan. 29, 2022, in Glendale, Ariz.

(AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)






Buffalo Sabres goaltender Craig Anderson, right, looks at the puck to make a save on a shot by Arizona Coyotes defenseman Kyle Capobianco (75) as Sabres defenseman Casey Fitzgerald (45) and Coyotes right wing Christian Fischer (36) battle for position during the second period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Jan. 29, 2022, in Glendale, Ariz.

(AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)






Buffalo Sabres right wing Alex Tuch (89) scores a goal against Arizona Coyotes goaltender Karel Vejmelka, front right, as Coyotes defenseman Janis Moser (62) looks on during the second period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Jan. 29, 2022, in Glendale, Ariz.

(AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)