Devils captain Salvador returns to game

NEWARK, N.J. -- New Jersey Devils captain Bryce Salvador returned to the game Saturday against the New York Rangers after the defenseman left the game late in the first period.

New York Rangers forward Benoit Pouliot hit Salvador and sent him flying backward into the corner boards to the left of New Jersey goalie Cory Schneider with 26.4 seconds to play. Salvador's back and the back of his head hit the boards. He tried several times to get up on his own but couldn't and needed help to get to the dressing room.

Salvador missed the entire 2010-11 season with a concussion.