BOSTON, MA - FEBRUARY 27: Rick Nash #61 of the Boston Bruins skates on the ice before a game against the Carolina Hurricanes at TD Garden on February 27, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts.

Rick Nash returns to Bruins' lineup for Game 1 vs. Leafs

Adam Glanzman / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Boston Bruins forward Rick Nash will play in Game 1 against the Toronto Maple Leafs on Thursday, head coach Bruce Cassidy confirmed.

It was an optional pregame skate this morning, but Bruce Cassidy confirms the Game 1 lineup:

Marchand - Bergeron - Pastrnak
DeBrusk - Krejci - Rick Nash
Heinen - Acciari - Backes
Schaller - Kuraly - Wingels

Chara - McAvoy
Krug - Miller
Grzelcyk - McQuaid

Rask
Khudobin pic.twitter.com/l744PdU1p6
— Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) April 12, 2018

The Bruins acquired Nash prior to the trade deadline, but he hasn't played since March 17 due to a concussion. In his 11 games with Boston, he collected three goals and three assists.

Nash's return means rookie Ryan Donato will be a healthy scratch. Since joining the team late in the season, the 22-year-old collected five goals and four assists in 12 games.

The 33-year-old Nash has 15 goals and 41 points in 77 career playoff games as he begins the quest for his first Stanley Cup.