A physical line that can skate and defend when needed. Ostapchuk tells SHD he\u2019s enjoyed playing with the veteran Sharks forwards.<\/p>\n
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\u201cThey\u2019re fun to play with. Just coming back to the bench and talking with them. Obviously, two very knowledgeable guys, and that helps me out a lot,\u201d Ostapchuk said. \u201cThey tell me where to be. It\u2019s pretty easy playing with them. I know where they\u2019re going to be. It\u2019s easy to read off them. I like what we have going.\u201d<\/p>\n
Taking a moment to recognize that with Zack Ostapchuk centering the fourth line, it\u2019s been the Sharks\u2019 best line at 5-on-5 through a majority of this game. pic.twitter.com\/Lv806i223q<\/a>\u2014 Fear the Fin (@fearthefin) November 19, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n<\/p>\n In just five games, Ostapchuk has registered 11 hits. Reaves leads the San Jose Sharks with 69 hits, and Goodrow is 4th with 34.<\/p>\n Sharks head coach Ryan Warsofsky has been happy with Ostapchuk\u2019s play, but feels there\u2019s an even higher level he can reach.<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s been playing towards his identity. He\u2019s been physical and been getting on pucks. Good defensively,\u201d Warsofsky said. \u201cThere\u2019s still another layer we\u2019ve got to get consistency-wise with puck play and reading the game when the game speeds up for him. But he\u2019s done a really good job.\u201d<\/p>\n Advertisement. Scroll to continue reading.<\/p>\n Ostapchuk agrees with the San Jose Sharks bench boss and knows he can provide even more than just being physical.<\/p>\n \u201cAnytime a coach shouts you out like that, it means a lot,\u201d Ostapchuk said. I want to just keep earning his trust. I know I can do more than I have been even now. Continuing to build [and] earn his trust. I want to be a guy who can go out there in any situation against anyone.\u201d<\/p>\n Jeff Skinner and Michael Misa are skating as they get closer to a return from an injury. Once one of them returns, Ostapchuk could be the man to go back to the San Jose Barracuda due to being ineligible for waivers.<\/p>\n \u201cIt makes you come to the rink hungry every day. You know someone\u2019s chasing you. You know you\u2019re chasing someone,\u201d Ostapchuk said.<\/p>\n \u201cI think it\u2019s good where we\u2019re at right now. I think we have a lot of guys on the \u2018CUDA \u2018Cuda that can come up and make a difference right away. Down at the \u2018Cuda, we\u2019re all playing hard, trying to get that call up. I was fortunate enough to get it, so I want to try and stay up here as long as I can.\u201d<\/p>\n Advertisement. Scroll to continue reading.<\/p>\n Ostapchuk and his line will need to be at the top of their game against the Colorado Avalanche on Wednesday. The speed the Sharks will face can only be slowed by smart, physical play, and the 4th line will be the trio to do that most.<\/p>\n Read more news and stories about the San Jose Sharks on\u00a0Sharks Hockey Digest<\/a>! Bookmark the page and follow Sharks Hockey Digest on Twitter @SharksHKYDigest<\/a>!\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/HS_Sharks_vs_Kings_1315-1024x682.jpg\")
Photo credit: Dean Tait \u2013 Sport Shots<\/p>\n