Santorelli could make season debut for Panthers

Florida Panthers center Mike Santorelli might make his season debut Thursday night against the Buffalo Sabres.

Santorelli, who has been sidelined by a shoulder injury, took part in the Panthers' morning skate and coach Kevin Dineen said a decision on his status would be made after pre-game warmups.

Santorelli skated Thursday morning on a line with Ryan Carter and Matt Bradley. Shawn Matthias, who played on that line in Florida's first five games, missed the morning skate -- Dineen said Matthias was sick.

Sean Bergenheim, who missed Tuesday’s game at Washington with a lower-body injury, took part in the morning skate, although he left the ice early.

The Panthers announced they have recalled left wing Tim Kennedy and center Bracken Kearns from San Antonio of the AHL, a sign Matthias and Bergenheim might miss Thursday's game.

The Sabres, meanwhile, will be shuffling lines on Thursday night.

Tyler Ennis, who has yet to record a point this season, has been replaced on the line with Brad Boyes and Ville Leino by Cody McCormick. Ennis will join the line of Derek Roy and Drew Stafford. Nathan Gerbe, who had skated with Roy and Stafford, now will join Paul Gaustad and Patrick Kaleta.

The only line that will remain unchanged is that of Thomas Vanek, Luke Adam and Jason Pominville.

SABRES
Thomas Vanek - Luke Adam - Jason Pominville
Tyler Ennis - Derek Roy - Drew Stafford
Nathan Gerbe - Paul Gaustad - Patrick Kaleta
Cody McCormick - Ville Leino - Brad Boyes

Robyn Regehr - Tyler Myers
Jordan Leopold - Christian Ehrhoff
Andrej Sekera - Marc-Andre Gragnani

Ryan Miller is expected to start in goal with Jhonas Enroth serving as backup.

PANTHERS
Tomas Fleischmann - Stephen Weiss - Kris Versteeg
David Booth - Tomas Kopecky - Scottie Upshall
Ryan Carter - Marcel Goc - Jack Skille
Tim Kennedy - Bracken Kearns - Matt Bradley

Jason Garrison - Brian Campbell
Dmitry Kulikov - Mike Weaver
Ed Jovanovski - Erik Gudbranson

Jose Theodore is expected to start in goal with Jacob Markstrom serving as backup.

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