Sharks host Canucks Oct. 29 as Ivar Stenberg and Macklin Celebrini target NHL betting value

The Story

The San Jose Sharks host the Vancouver Canucks on Thursday, Oct. 29, 2026 at SAP Center, with puck drop set for 10 p.m. ET, in a matchup highlighted in a betting preview published Oct. 29, 2026.

In that preview, betting analyst Todd Cordell said he expects the Sharks to respond after losing consecutive games by multiple goals, and he pointed to Vancouver’s recent results, noting the Canucks have dropped 10 of their last 11 games.

Cordell’s top selection was San Jose -1.5, writing that he is playing the Sharks at 45% and describing Vancouver as struggling to generate expected goals and goals against. He added that Vancouver’s goaltending is expected to be a factor, citing Kevin Lankinen’s .812 save percentage and Leevi Merilainen’s 14 goals against over his past three starts.

The preview also featured a player-focused combination built around Ivar Stenberg. Cordell said Stenberg has five points over his last six games and noted Stenberg logged more than 20 minutes for the first time in his career in the most recent game. The betting combo presented was Sharks -1.5, Ivar Stenberg over 0.5 points, and Macklin Celebrini anytime goal.

Cordell attributed the Stenberg play to a direct on-ice connection with Celebrini, saying Stenberg’s share of 5-on-5 scoring chances is 18% higher with Celebrini on his line. He also described Stenberg as pass-first and playing on the Sharks’ top line and top power play unit.

For the goal-scorer market, Cordell identified Macklin Celebrini as the most prominent option in the preview. He said Celebrini is pacing San Jose in expected goals, shots on target, and shot attempts, and he described Vancouver as sitting last in expected goal suppression at 5-on-5 and on the penalty kill.

The preview listed prices available at publication, including moneyline odds of Canucks 38% and Sharks 63%, an over/under of over 6.5 at 54% and under 6.5 at 47%, and a spread with Canucks +1.5 at 59% and Sharks -1.5 at 42%.

It also cited a series of matchup notes, including that Celebrini is described as having recorded multiple points in five of seven head-to-head meetings and four straight against his hometown team, along with a claim that he scored in 67% of San Jose’s wins last year while averaging 0.9 goals per game.