Logan Couture scored twice in just over 5 1/2 minutes in the third period and Antti Niemi turned aside all 28 shots he faced as the San Jose Sharks skated to a 4-0 triumph over the Ottawa Senators on Thursday in Dany Heatley's return to Canada's capital city.

Patrick Marleau netted a power-play goal and rookie defenseman Justin Braun collected his first career NHL tally as San Jose (12-8-4) opened its five-game road trip with a victory.

Heatley picked up an assist on Braun's power-play tally midway through the second period. The second overall pick of the 2000 draft, Heatley thrived in his four seasons with the Senators before forcing a trade to the Sharks in September 2009.

Ryan Clowe notched a pair of assists and captain Joe Thornton also collected an assist, marking his seventh helper in five games.

Niemi stopped 13 shots in the first period, nine in the second and six in the third to collect his first shutout of the season and eighth career.

Pascal Leclaire finished with 29 saves to drop his third in a row and fall to 1-6-1 this season.

With the loss, Ottawa (11-14-1) fell for the seventh time in nine games.