Toronto, Canada – SAN JOSE, California (Reuters) - The NHL-leading San Jose Sharks produced a dominating display to beat the Ottawa Senators 5-2 on Tuesday, giving Dany Heatley a victory against his former team.
In his first game against the Senators since being traded in a highly publicized offseason deal, Heatley had two assists as the Sharks won their third straight to improve to 19-6-4.
"There wasn't much talking," Heatley told reporters when asked if he noticed any animosity from his former team mates.
"I talked to a couple of guys on TV timeouts briefly, but mostly it was just focusing on the game.
The left winger was in the mix throughout and was particularly aggressive in the first period, helping to open the scoring when Patrick Marleau, making his 900th appearance for the Sharks, netted.
It wasn't really strange at all. I'm glad we got the two points," Heatley, who notched two 50-goal seasons and a 2007 Stanley Cup finals appearances for Ottawa, said.
Jamie McGinn extended the Sharks' lead in the first period before Ottawa pulled one back through Milan Michalek, who came to the Senators in the Heatley trade and was cheered by his former home crowd.
The Sharks then built a three-goal advantage with backhand shots from Marleau, his 19th of the season, and Ryane Clowe in the second with Michalek grabbing his second for the visitors.
Manny Malhotra restored the cushion when he wrapped up victory for the home side with a goal in the final period.
Defeat for the Senators, their second straight, left them at 13-8-4.
(Writing by Jahmal Corner in Los Angeles; Editing by Patrick Johnston)
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