Salvador's two-point night sparks Devils

NEWARK, N.J. -- Bryce Salvador used to be a sniper -- when he was 10 years old, that is.

"I know I lit it up," Salvador said.

It might be time to call him one again, because Salvador is lighting it up for the New Jersey Devils in the 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Salvador got the Devils going in their 4-1 win against the Rangers on Monday with his third goal of the playoffs 8:10 into the first period. It was a low wrist shot from the left point that skipped on the ice just before going through Henrik Lundqvist's five-hole.

"That one had eyes," Devils center Adam Henrique said.

Indeed it did. Salvador said the same thing, only he was talking about all of his shots in these playoffs.

After not scoring a single goal in 82 regular-season games, Salvador now has three goals in 16 playoff games. He had only three in 50 playoff games heading into this spring.

He also has seven assists to his credit, giving him 10 points in the playoffs after he had nine in the regular season. He never had more than 16 points in any regular season.

When asked if it's time to start calling Salvador a goal scorer, Henrique responded:

"That's got a good ring to it."

Salvador -- who also had an assist Monday night -- is happy enough just to be contributing.

"The reality of it is the points are great, but what's important is the wins," he said. "If we're not winning, nobody is going to remember how many points you have. It's not just me -- I think everyone is getting rewarded for sticking with the system. Right now, maybe my pucks have eyes on them and I'll run with them while I can."

Follow Dan Rosen on Twitter: @drosennhl

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