Jacob Josefson replaces Petr Sykora

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NEWARK, N.J. -- The New Jersey Devils are making a lineup change for Game 4 of their Eastern Conference finals against the New York Rangers.

Coach Peter DeBoer says center Jacob Josefson will play in the game at the Prudential Center on Monday night and veteran Petr Sykora will sit for the first time this season.

Sykora, a 35-year-old left winger, will be a healthy scratch after appearing in all 82 regular-season games and his team's first 15 playoff contests. He wasn't happy to see reporters congregate around his locker stall after Monday's morning skate.

"What do you guys want?" said Sykora, who has two goals and two assists in the Rangers' playoff run. "I get more media attention now than when I'm playing."

Josefson has been sidelined since breaking his left wrist in a game against the Islanders in early April. He practiced Sunday on the Devils' No. 3 line with Alexei Ponikarovsky and David Clarkson.

DeBoer hopes Jacobson can help an offense that has been shut out twice by Henrik Lundqvist, leaving the Devils down 2-1 in the series.

"It's not my decision," said Sykora, who has been held scoreless his last four games and has just four postseason points. "All I can do right now is stay in shape and be ready to play.

"That's the way it is."

Josefson was asked what he can bring to the lineup.

"I haven't been playing in a while, so I'll have fresh legs and bring speed and energy," Josefson said.

Information from The Associated Press and ESPNNewYork.com reporter Mike Mazzeo was used in this report.

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