Rick Nash set for return after 8-game absence

The New York Rangers will insert power winger Rick Nash back into the lineup for Friday night's clash with the Toronto Maple Leafs, the team announced.

He's missed the last eight games with a groin injury.

Dealing with minor injuries throughout, Nash has missed more than a quarter of the schedule, but it's been a reasonably successful bounce-back season for the three-time 40-goal scorer. He's scored at a top 20 per-game rate league wide with 13 goals in 30 games.

Nash is expected to skate on a line with Jimmy Vesey and Oscar Lindberg.