Macklin Celebrini back in Sharks’ lineup for marquee game vs. Edmonton Oilers

SAN JOSE – Center Macklin Celebrini, out for the last two games with a lower-body injury, will return to the lineup Saturday as the San Jose Sharks face the Edmonton Oilers in a matinee game at SAP Center.

Celebrini had been considered a game-time decision.

Celebrini fully participated in Friday’s practice at Sharks Ice and said afterward that he felt good, adding that “there’s always a chance” he could play against the Oilers.

Celebrini had five points, all assists, in the Sharks’ first two games this season before he felt discomfort during warmups before Monday’s game against the Dallas Stars and was a late scratch.

Celebrini was also scratched for Thursday’s game against the St. Louis Blues, but the Sharks rebounded from a 5-0 loss in Dallas with a 3-2 overtime win in St. Louis.

The Sharks will also have winger Kiefer Sherwood, who sustained an upper-body injury against the Blues and had been a game-time decision against the Oilers. Sherwood, who did not practice Friday, recorded 10 hits in the win over the Blues and leads the NHL with 30 this season.

Adam Gaudette has come off injured reserve but did not his season debut on Saturday. Gaudette sustained an upper-body injury early in training camp and began the season on IR.

For the Oilers, ex-Sharks defenseman Jake Walman has an upper-body injury and will be a scratch Saturday. Another former Sharks defenseman, Shakir Mukhamadullin, will replace him in the Oilers’ lineup; Edmonton acquired Mukhamadullin in July as part of the trade that sent Darnell Nurse to San Jose.

Mukhamadullin played in Edmonton’s first two games, but has been scratched the last two by Oilers coach Mike Babcock.

“Just be firm,” Babcock said about what he wants to see from Mukhamadullin. “He’s got skill. He can skate. He’s long. We like all those things. Now you’ve got to play hard. You’ve got to play hard every shift, and if you do that and play well defensively, then you’re going to continue to play.”

Also, for Edmonton, forward Filip Hallander will make his Oilers debut, replacing Max Jones. Zach Hyman (undisclosed injury) remains out.