Sharks takeaways: More injury woes, Ostapchuk’s huge moment and a big change in attendance

SAN JOSE – It appears the Sharks’ organizational depth will continue to be tested as they try to keep pace in the crowded Western Conference playoff race.

Having already lost defensemen John Klingberg and Shakir Mukhamadullin to the injured reserve list earlier this week, the Sharks now might be without Ty Dellandrea after the centerman exited Tuesday’s game with the Columbus Blue Jackets with an undisclosed injury.

Dellandrea, the Sharks’ third-line center for the majority of the season, exited the game with 4:45 left in the second period after he crashed hard legs-first into the post next to Blue Jackets goalie Jet Greaves.

Dellandrea had to be helped off the ice and into the dressing room, and did not return as the Sharks went on to a 5-2 win before an announced crowd of 16,258 at SAP Center.

Coach Ryan Warsofsky didn’t have an update on Dellandrea after the game, as the Sharks later flew to Los Angeles for Wednesday’s game against the Kings. But considering how important the right-shot Dellandrea has become to the Sharks this season as one of their leading penalty killers and faceoff specialists, any absence would be felt.

If Dellandrea is unable to play against Los Angeles, the Sharks could move Adam Gaudette to the third-line center role. Gaudette earlier this week said he felt ready to play again after he had to leave the Sharks’ Dec. 29 game against the Anaheim Ducks with a lower-body injury. Warsofsky ruled out Michael Misa, who just returned from the World Juniors, from playing in Wednesday’s game.

Ty Dellandrea left the ice after being tripped and then colliding with the goalie pic.twitter.com/wuLFIfE3He

— Sharks on NBCS (@NBCSSharks) January 7, 2026

Sharks winger Ryan Reaves was hoping for the best for Dellandrea, saying, “He’s been great. He’s played against top lines. He’s been killing for us. He’s just been solid in the defensive zone. I hope he’s OK, I hope it’s not long-term. But when something happens like that, you want to rally around him and get the win for him.

“So I hope he’s OK and the doctors are wrong about whatever happened, and he’s fine and he comes out like the Wolverine tomorrow.”

The Sharks placed Klingberg (lower body) and Mukhamadullin (undisclosed) on IR earlier this week but do not expect either defenseman to be out long-term. Fellow blueliner Vincent Desharnais could be activated soon after he’s missed the last six weeks with an upper-body ailment.

The Sharks are also missing forwards Will Smith and Philipp Kurashev, who have been out since Dec. 13 with lower-body injuries. Both are expected back within the next three or four weeks.

Despite all of that, the Sharks have won four of five and will enter Wednesday holding the Western Conference’s second wild card spot, still just three points back of first place in the Pacific Division.

Ostapchuk shines

Zack Ostapchuk continued to entrench himself as the Sharks’ fourth-line center as he had one of his better games as a Shark on Tuesday.

With the Sharks clinging to a 2-1 lead late in the third period, Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski’s pass back to the blue line was tipped into the neutral zone by Ostapchuk, who then outraced Cole Sillinger and Denton Mateychuk for the loose puck.

Ostapchuk then put a pretty forehand to backhand move on Greaves for his second goal as a Shark and a 3-1 San Jose lead with 4:44 left in regulation.

Ostapchuk shows off the speed for the breakaway goal pic.twitter.com/pm7f1enyij

— Sharks on NBCS (@NBCSSharks) January 7, 2026

Besides that, Ostapchuk had three hits, blocked two shots and won five of 12 faceoffs.

“I mean, he’s the fastest man in the world,” Reaves said. “Damn racehorse. I don’t know what’s going on. He was blowing by everybody. But it’s a lot of fun playing with him. Brings a lot of speed, a lot of physicality. Silky mitts on that breakaway.”

Before Dellandrea’s injury, Ostapchuk’s role on the Sharks past this week might have been in question with Misa back on the roster and other players due back soon. Ostapchuk does not require waivers to go back to the AHL, but right now, he’s continuing to making a case to stick with the big club.

“Happy for him to get rewarded with a goal tonight,” Warsofsky said of Ostapchuk. “He’s been really playing some really good hockey, and really solidifying his role on this team and as a player. He’s a heavy, big forward that can skate, and he showed his game there.”

Reaves tagged

Reaves fought Blue Jackets forward Mathieu Olivier right after a second-period goal by Werenski cut the Sharks’ lead to 2-1.

The two heavyweights exchanged haymakers before Olivier caught Reaves with a right hand and sent him to the ice. Reaves was wobbly as he tried to get up and needed to go through concussion protocol before he returned in the third period.

Reaves, now in his 16th NHL season and a veteran of over 150 fights in the NHL, AHL and WHL, said it was the first time he had been caught by a punch like that in his career.

Ryan Reaves and Mathieu Olivier drop the gloves pic.twitter.com/nuBYPJmPsT

— Sharks on NBCS (@NBCSSharks) January 7, 2026

“He’s one of the toughest in the league,” said Reaves, adding Olivier wanted to fight to help spark his team.

“It’s the first time I’ve been caught and knocked down like that. But when you go up against a guy like that, I’m 38 and getting a little older, so eventually I was gonna get caught. Today was the day, so we’ll get him back next time.”

Big Tuesday crowd

Tuesday night Sharks games at SAP Center in recent years have usually meant more empty seats than fans in the stands. That changed against the Blue Jackets, as the number of tickets distributed was less than 1,200 short of a sellout of 17,435.

Before Tuesday, the number of tickets distributed per Sharks home game this season was 15.497, or 88.9% of capacity, with nine sellouts.

For 41 home dates last season, the Sharks averaged 14,219 per game, with 15 sellouts. Of the Sharks’ 10 smallest announced crowds last season, five came on a Tuesday and all were less 11,000.

Indications are Saturday and Sunday’s home games against the Dallas Stars and Vegas Golden Knights are on their way to be sellouts or near-sellouts as well.

The Sharks are now 12-8-3 at home this season after going 12-27-2 at the Tank last season.

“It’s always nice to win at home, and you can feel the energy is really coming back in this building,” Warsofsky said. “And for Tuesday night tonight, there was energy.”