Macklin Celebrini Returns as Sharks Face Oilers in San Jose

San Jose regained a key offensive contributor Saturday, Oct. 10, 2026, as captain Macklin Celebrini returned to the lineup against the Edmonton Oilers at home after missing two games with a lower-body injury. The 20-year-old center rejoined the Sharks' top line alongside Mason Marchment and Will Smith, according to Sportsnet.

Celebrini had recorded five assists in his first two games before the injury sidelined him. His return provides San Jose with its leading scorer from the opening games as the team prepares to face one of the NHL's most productive offenses.

The Sharks captain established himself among the league's leading players last season, accumulating 115 points through 45 goals and 70 assists in all 82 regular-season games. According to Daily Faceoff, he finished fourth in NHL scoring and fourth in Hart Trophy voting.

Celebrini was selected first overall by San Jose in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft after playing for Boston University. During his 2024-25 rookie campaign, he recorded 63 points, including 25 goals and 38 assists, in 70 games. The Sharks named him the 14th captain in franchise history in September 2026.

He also represented Canada's men's national team at the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics in February, recording five goals and five assists for 10 points in six games as Canada earned a silver medal, according to Daily Faceoff.

Saturday's matchup presented a substantial challenge for San Jose's defense. According to Yahoo Sports Canada, Edmonton entered the game with 22 goals, the second-highest total in the NHL behind the Colorado Avalanche.

Connor McDavid led the league with 12 points in four games, while defenseman Evan Bouchard had 11 points, including six goals. Leon Draisaitl ranked fourth with nine points. All three players had also produced against San Jose during the previous season, when McDavid recorded 11 points, Bouchard had nine and Draisaitl collected four in two games.

Edmonton won three of its four meetings with San Jose last season. The Sharks' lone victory came on a game-winning goal by Shakir Mukhamadullin, who subsequently joined the Oilers, according to Yahoo Sports Canada.

Edmonton's early-season defensive numbers offered a contrasting picture. Yahoo Sports Canada reported that the Oilers had allowed the sixth-most goals in the league, while their power play converted 25% of opportunities, tying for 11th. Their penalty kill ranked 27th after stopping 64.3% of opposing power plays.

Tristan Jarry was expected to start in goal for Edmonton, according to the Edmonton Journal and Yahoo Sports Canada. Jarry had allowed six goals on 23 shots in his only appearance of the season, although his record against San Jose included a .917 save percentage and a 2.43 goals-against average over six games.

Edmonton also adjusted its forward lines before the matchup. The Edmonton Journal reported that newcomer Filip Hallander had moved directly onto the second line with Jason Dickinson and Kasperi Kapanen after arriving in a trade with the Pittsburgh Penguins on Oct. 7. Hallander could make his Oilers debut against San Jose.

Several Edmonton players remained affected by injuries. According to NHL.com, Zach Hyman had returned to the ice for practice, while Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Frederik Andersen, Mattias Janmark, Alec Regula, Matthew Savoie, Colton Dach and Jake Walman were listed as injured in the projected lineup report.

San Jose entered the season seeking its first playoff appearance since 2019. Celebrini's return restored its captain and a major source of offense for a young roster that also features forwards Will Smith, Michael Misa and Ivar Stenberg, according to Daily Faceoff.