Rangers' Nash on playoff scoring slump: 'I've been through this before'

Scoring goals is what Rick Nash does best - as long as it's not in the playoffs.

The New York Rangers forward has one goal in seven postseason games and has gone five contests without scoring after recording a career-high 42 goals during the regular season. And it's not the first time his prolific scoring has evaporated in the playoffs.

Nash scored just three times in 25 games during New York's run to the Stanley Cup final last year. He has six goals in 48 career playoff contests despite firing 163 shots.

"I've been through this before," Nash told Shawn Roarke of NHL.com. "The negative doesn't get you anywhere. In here we are positive things will go in. We're winning and we are in the playoffs and we are tied 1-1 and it is still an exciting time."

The Rangers face the Washington Capitals on Monday looking to gain an edge in their second-round series. Both of the first two games were close contests decided by one-goal margins, meaning Nash could tip the scales in New York's favor by ending his drought.

Nash's experience with previous slumps gives him confidence this one will end as long as he doesn't shy away from playing like a power forward.

"You just have to keep trying to get on the inside," Nash said. "I can't allow my game to be completely on the outside. I have to get to the inside; that's the biggest thing. You can always do more. There's always more I can do to try to score."