MONTREAL — Rick Nash has targeted either Tuesday night at the Garden against the Bruins or Thursday night in Dallas for his return from the concussion that has sidelined the winger since Oct. 8.
“Hopefully Tuesday or Thursday, for sure, as long as there are no setbacks,” Nash said following the morning skate that preceded the Blueshirts’ 1-0 victory over the Canadiens on Saturday night. “Everything has been positive, and I’ve been pushing it every day.”
Nash, who will have missed 17 straight games following the weekend’s matches here on Saturday and on Sunday at home against the Kings, has skated eight straight days. He was cleared for contact beginning with Friday’s practice.
“I don’t know if there’s going to be a moment [where I make the decision to play], I think I need some more down-low work and a bit more practice in game-like situations,” No. 61 said. “I’ve really only had two practices with the team, not counting a pregame skate.
“It takes some time to get the legs back, but I think I’m feeling better than I thought I would. I seem to be keeping up with guys who have been playing, so that’s definitely a positive.”
The Rangers won’t have a full skate on Sunday and they are scheduled to be off on Monday. If Nash needs a full-contact practice, that would preclude a return against the Bruins, but that may not be necessary. It would be no surprise to see him in the lineup against Boston.
Nash said he has not been contacted by Brad Stuart, who delivered the headshot that concussed the Rangers winger and for which the San Jose defenseman was suspended for three games.
“No, I haven’t talked to him,” said Nash, who does not appear to be carrying a grudge. “It’s a hockey play.”
“Everything happened so fast. I’ve had some dangerous plays against other guys,” he said. “It’s just spur of the moment. Everything happens so fast.”
Justin Falk, inserted into the lineup in place of healthy scratch Michael Del Zotto, played a reasonably steady 12:11 as John Moore’s third-pair defense partner. It was only the fourth game for Falk, who had been scratched for the previous 11 matches, since Oct. 19 against the Devils. …
Brian Boyle had an outstanding night at the dots, going 12-4 on faceoffs, including 5-0 in the offensive zone and 5-3 in the defensive end. Derek Stepan, however, struggled in going 3-10 on draws. … Ryan McDonagh led the Blueshirts with 25:59 of ice while partner Dan Girardi logged 22:59. … Chris Kreider led the Rangers with six hits in 17:38. …
The Blueshirts, 10-9 overall with the Kings due at the Garden on Sunday night, are 7-2 in their last nine matches, outscoring the opposition 27-14. The Rangers have limited foes to two goals or fewer in 10 of their last 12 matches, yielding a sum of 20 goals in that stretch.