Tampa, FL (My Sportsbook) - New Jersey Devils captain Scott Stevens was back in the starting lineup for Game 4 of the Eastern Conference semifinals against Tampa Bay after suffering a lacerated ear in Game 3 of the series on Monday.

He played a team-high 27 minutes and 35 seconds on Wednesday, posted a rating of plus-two and scored a power-play goal in the third period that gave the Devils their margin of victory in a 3-1 triumph.

"I had a lot of sleep, and I think that really helped," said Stevens, who had extra padding placed in his helmet. "Our equipment manager did a good job and the doctors reassured me that things should be fine."

Stevens was hurt just over a minute into Monday's game when he was hit on the side of the head with a slap shot by Tampa Bay's Pavel Kubina. The veteran defenseman fell to the ice and remained down for several moments before being helped to the locker room.

Precautionary x-rays were taken and 15 stitches were needed to close the cut.

"It was my call," Stevens said about the decision to play. "No one put pressure on me. They said: 'It's up to you Scotty. If you can go, go.'"

The Devils struggled without Stevens in the first period of Monday's game and fell behind 3-0, then rallied with three goals in the second period only to lose 4-3 on a goal by Dave Andreychuk in the third.

On Wednesday, however, Stevens' presence in the lineup appeared to make a difference as New Jersey never trailed.

"He didn't play like a guy that was trying to protect an injury," said Devils head coach Pat Burns. "He did everything."

The Devils now lead the best-of-seven series, 3-1, and can wrap it up with a victory in Game 5 on Friday in New Jersey.