Rangers' Nash misses practice because of flu

GREENBURGH, N.Y. -- New York Rangers forward Rick Nash missed practice Wednesday because of the flu, a team spokesperson said.

Rangers coach Alain Vigneault said he expects Nash will be able to play Thursday in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference First Round against the Pittsburgh Penguins at Madison Square Garden (7 p.m. ET; NBCSN, CBC, TVA, ROOT, MSG).

"He'll be fine [Thursday]," Vigneault said. "He just wasn't feeling well."

Nash missed the final two games of the regular season with an undisclosed injury. He finished the regular season with a career-high 42 goals. He has only five goals in 41 career games in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, including four in 37 games with the Rangers in the past two seasons.

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