Nash Will Play for Rangers Against Bruins Rangers left wing Rick Nash will return to the lineup Tuesday night against the Boston Bruins after missing 17 games with concussion symptoms. Rick Nash had 21 goals in 44 games last season for the Rangers. He has not played since October 8. Nash, 29, was injured when he was checked into the boards by San Jose's Brad Stuart on Oct. 8, the Rangers" third game of the season. He was medically cleared two days ago. He had three assists before the injury. The Rangers are facing Boston for the first time since their second-round playoff loss in May. Boston improved to 13-6-1 with a victory against Carolina on Monday night. "I'm excited; it's been a long six weeks," Nash said after the team's morning skate at Madison Square Garden. I thought it best to play tonight. The Rangers began the season 3-6 on a nine-game trip. They have played much better over the past three weeks, winning 7 of 11 games to even their record at 10-10. Acquired by the Rangers in a 2012 trade with the Columbus Blue Jackets, Nash also missed time with a concussion last season after a hit by Boston's Milan Lucic. "It's tough watching when your team is playing well," said Nash, who had 21 goals in 44 games last season for the Rangers. There's a buzz in town about us. It will be exciting to be back in there for a home game. His Rangers teammate Derick Brassard, a former linemate of Nash's in Columbus, was also looking forward to Nash's return. "It means a lot because no one wants to see a teammate out with that kind of injury," Brassard said. There was a time during the injury when we didn't see him at all. So to have him back and see him on the ice is great. He's a big part of our team. Rangers Coach Alain Vigneault said Nash scored very well - with better marks than in training camp - on medical testing before he was cleared to play. Vigneault said he expected Nash to play in the 15-minute range as his return to game conditions is monitored. "He's looked extremely good in practice," Vigneault said. We'll talk to him as the game goes on. I plan to have him taking regular shifts and seeing some power play time. Forward J. T. Miller will be a healthy scratch to make room for Nash. Defenseman Michael Del Zotto was also a healthy scratch for the third game in a row.