STEVE MILLER, ERIC GELINAS, DMITRY KULIKOV

Devils defenseman Eric Gelinas (22) collides with linesman Steve Miller during Saturday night's game against the Panthers. Florida defenseman Dmitry Kulikov (7) is in front of the bench. (J Pat Carter / AP)

(J Pat Carter)

SUNRISE, Fla. — Bryce Salvador, the Devils’ captain, sensed trouble.

With the Devils building a 4-0 lead before a big crowd in BB&T Center, Florida Panthers winger Shawn Thornton was looking to turn the momentum around by fighting someone. Anyone.

Salvador wanted to make sure it wasn’t the wrong guy, like a vulnerable Ryane Clowe or someone unable to handle himself.

“All game he was looking for something,” Salvador said of Thornton. “I just knew when we were up, 4-0, he was going to try and do something. So I just went up to him and asked him to go. I figured if not, he was probably going to be running around looking for something.

“He was going down the line asking guys. He’s got a job to do, too. You’ve got to respect that as well. (It was the Panthers’) home opener and we were up by four goals. He’s got a job to do.”

Salvador decided to put an end to it and wound up on top of Thornton as the two fell to the ice after their fight.

“He’s a tough cookie. I’m not going to trade shots for too long with him. I stayed close and made sure I protected myself,” Salvador said.

He protected his teammates as well.

* * *

It was the kind of moment that has landed Devils defenseman Eric Gelinas on the bench.

This time it turned out just fine.

Gelinas, dealing with an aggressive Panthers forechecker 85 seconds into the game, made a long cross-ice pass to Jon Merrill that went through his own crease just in front of goalie Cory Schneider. It could easily have deflected off Schneider and into the net, putting the Devils behind early.

“I think it hit Shneids’ stick,” Gelinas said with a devilish grin. “I saw their guy was trying to can-open me. That’s why I tried to make the pass quick. I guess I could have maybe waited a split second for that pass, but I worked out, so…”

He will be reminded not to try it again.

Rich Chere may be reached at rchere@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @Ledger_NJDevils. Find NJ.com on Facebook.