Rick Nash Nearing A Return

BOSTON - Rick Nash took a major step towards a return to game action on Saturday morning, joining his teammates for pregame skate after missing the last 10 games with what he confirmed was a concussion.
Nash will not play on Saturday against the Ottawa Senators, but could be back for Sunday's regular season finale vs. the Florida Panthers. Nash also said he could opt to go without any tune-up action and return for Game 1 of the first round, which is expected to being on Thursday.

"Feeling better," said Nash. "We're going to see how I feel tonight, how I feel in the morning. Hopeful for tomorrow. It would be nice to, but it's kind of a Catch-22. It would be nice to get those extra five days and get my conditioning up and get my skill back a bit more. Gotta weigh the pros and cons."
Boston's prized trade deadline acquisition registered three goals and three assists in 11 games with the Black & Gold, before taking a high hit in the team's win over Tampa Bay on March 17.
"I just exposed myself a bit, feel like I put myself in a bad area. Just took a shoulder or a forearm to the head," said Nash, who suffered from headaches and "normal concussion symptoms" in the aftermath of the collision.
Elsewhere on the injury front, Tommy Wingels will return to the lineup after sitting out the last two games with a hand injury. Sean Kuraly, who has missed five games with an upper-body injury, was also back on the ice for practice and could play on Sunday.
Cassidy ruled out Riley Nash for both games this weekend. The center has not resumed skating since suffering an ear laceration after taking a puck to the head last Saturday against Florida. Nash required 40-plus stitches to close the gash.
"I don't think it's anything more than that, but I could probably have a better answer for you tomorrow," Cassidy said when asked if Nash also has a concussion. "Once he gets on the ice it's easier to start talking about players."

Grzelcyk Will Sit

Matt Grzelcyk will be the odd-man out on the blue line against the Senators, with Nick Holden playing alongside Adam McQuaid and Kevan Miller sliding up to play with Torey Krug.
"Very consistent….he's healthy, it's just a decision that going forward we'll use all of our D and give him the day today," said Cassidy.
Cassidy went on to say he has not yet decided how he will determine whether McQuaid or Holden will slot into the lineup for Game 1.
"Could be opponent driven, depends who we play," said Cassidy. "Talking to Torey, it might be his comfort level as well - not to put it on him. But it is his partner so he should have a say in it. It's a couple things, who do we feel is the best fit overall?
"Who knows, it could change from Game 1 to Game 2 and Game 3. Hoping to have seven healthy, we were hoping to have eight, that didn't work out."

Back on Track

The Bruins will be aiming to snap their three-game losing streak when they host the Senators at TD Garden. Boston would like nothing more than to regain some momentum as they head into the playoffs, while still trying to claim the top seed in the Eastern Conference (they need wins in their final two games and a Tampa Bay loss to Carolina on Saturday).
"We know what spot [the Senators] are in and we try to focus on ourselves and get our game going," said David Pastrnak. "Obviously the last couple games were not our best. We kept focusing on us and trying to get as ready as we can.
"We try to get that confidence and feel good about ourselves going into playoffs, so that's why those last two games are important for us. We want to get back n the winning track."

Saturday's Projected Lineup

Anton Khudobin will start in goal against the Senators:
Brad Marchand - Patrice Bergeron - David Pastrnak
Jake DeBrusk - David Krejci - Danton Heinen
Ryan Donato - David Backes - Brian Gionta
Tim Schaller - Noel Acciari - Tommy Wingels
Zdeno Chara - Charlie McAvoy
Torey Krug - Kevan Miller
Nick Holden - Adam McQuaid
Anton Khudobin
Tuukka Rask