Rick Nash will return after extended absence from concussion

Nash resumed skating nearly a month after sustaining his most recent concussion. By most accounts, the forward is fairly close to game shape and had expressed a desire to return sometime this week. It remains to be seen how Nash will be used in his first game back, but Rangers writer Joe Fortunato believes expectations should be tempered for the returning forward, via Blueshirt Banter:

Considering the competition level in the Metropolitan Division -- and the Eastern Conference as a whole -- things could be looking up for the Rangers.

Nash was unable to skate on Monday afternoon and a timetable has not been established for a return, via Blueshirts United:

Nash was sent back to New York last Thursday and has not practiced since.

Nash stated during a post-game interview that he had a headache and believed that Stuart’s hit was a head shot. The Rangers have yet to update Nash’s situation. He sustained a concussion last season after a hit from Boston Bruins forward Milan Lucic in February, and he was able to play in two games after the incident before missing four games due to the injury. The team did not acknowledge the injury as a concussion at the time.

Stuart was suspended three games by the NHL for the hit.

Nash played 5:53 and recorded one shot on goal before leaving. He suffered a concussion during the 2012-13 season.

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