Thibault ready

Jocelyn Thibault's role in Buffalo is simple. Fill in whenever starting goaltender Ryan Miller needs a rest and give the Sabres a chance to win. But Thibault will have another challenge, one he says he's ready for.

Dealing with Brian Campbell.

The Sabres defenseman loves to antagonize goalies. Loves it! He and Martin Biron would go back and forth with good-natured ribbing on a daily basis. When Biron was sent to Philadelphia at last season's trade deadline, Campbell tried getting into it with Miller. The goalie, however, wanted no part of the verbal battles.

Thibault was informed of Campbell's ways today, and he said the defenseman has been quiet thus far, but he's ready for whatever Campbell brings.

"I love that kind of stuff," said Thibault, who's made a great impression as a good guy and locker room presence in his first week with the Sabres.

---John Vogl