Sharks edge Maple Leafs 3-2

SAN JOSE - San Jose Sharks franchise icon Patrick Marleau was the star attraction coming into Monday night’s game at SAP Center.

Leave it to someone playing in his 10th career NHL game to steal some of the spotlight.

Defenseman Tim Heed’s goal on a bullet of a slap shot in the third period helped the Sharks top the Toronto Maple Leafs 3-2 as they moved above .500 for the first time this season.

Joel Ward’s empty-net goal with 2:13 to go in the third period proved to be the winner as Toronto’s Nazem Kadri scored with 1:10 left in regulation time to cut San Jose’s lead to one.

Heed’s goal, the second of his career, came on a Sharks power play as he took a Brent Burns pass and ripped a shot past Leafs goalie Frederick Andersen.

Heed also assisted on Joe Pavelski’s goal at the 7:58 mark of what was a dominant second period for the Sharks, who have now beaten Toronto 10 straight times dating back to 2011. Pavelski tipped Heed’s shot from the blue line for his third of the season.

Joe Thornton fed Heed and picked up a secondary assist, giving him 1,399 career points and moving him past Jari Kurri for sole possession of 20th place on the NHL’s all-time scoring list.

The Sharks outshot the Leafs 11-2 in the second period and held a 35-11 advantage in shots by the midway point of the third.

It was part of a quiet night offensively for the Leafs, including Marleau.

Marleau, the player most synonymous with the Sharks franchise over the past two decades, arrived at the arena at roughly 4:30, his typical custom throughout his time in San Jose. Marleau received a huge cheer once he came out for pregame warm-ups, and another roar went throughout the arena after it was announced he would be in the starting lineup.

But the most emotional moment was saved for right before the game, as he received an ovation for well over a minute from the Sharks faithful, several of them wearing teal No. 12 jerseys.