Rick Nash

Rick Nash will not join the team in Montreal against the Canadiens, Steve Zipay of Newsday reports.

Nash will miss his third straight game with an undisclosed injury. As we mentioned before, two main theories persist:

  • Nash re-aggravated a groin injury first sustained while he was overseas playing for HC Davos in Switzerland.
  • Nash is dealing with concussion related symptoms after a hard hit into the boards by Milan Lucic of the Boston Bruins dating back to Feb. 12.

The problem with each of these scenarios is that Nash is missing from the lineup, obviously, but if it turns out to be concussion related after all, it potentially has a much larger impact on Nash’s health both presently and down the line. Neither scenario is good, especially as the Rangers offense has been severely lacking since his absence, but a concussion would be even worse.

It’s no secret concussions rob players of many games and the way they recover is always different. There is no pattern or science to recovering from concussions and some players never fully recover.

Before we sound the alarms, keep in mind absolutely nothing has been confirmed about Nash’s injury other than that he was “banged up.” Head coach John Tortorella refused to answer any questions relating to Nash’s health against Montreal on Tuesday.

The Rangers next game is against the Winnipeg Jets at Madison Square Garden on Tuesday, Feb. 26.

Hopefully Nash is getting the treatment and rehabilitation required to make a quick recovery. He is without question the Rangers most valuable offensive player this season – but rushing him back to play will only do more harm than good.

Michael Del Zotto

Michael Del Zotto left the game early against the Ottawa Senators yesterday and his official status remains unknown, however Pat Leonard of the New York Daily News reports that Del Zotto will not travel to Montreal and defenseman Steve Eminger has been recalled from the Connecticut Whale:

Del Zotto left the game limping and some are speculating it is hip related. Del Zotto complained of hip issues last season when he crashed hard into the boards in the middle of the season.

While Del Zotto can play inconsistent, he is nonetheless a very valuable defensive asset – and not easily replaced. Eminger has been lackluster in all of his time as a Blueshirt but the organization has no other choice at this time.