PITTSBURGH — Rick Nash, who has scored twice in the Rangers’ past three games since returning from a groin injury, has a different groin issue and will not play Tuesday night against the Penguins, a source said Tuesday.
It is unclear how long Nash might be out.
The power forward, who has 13 goals, had missed four games after tweaking his groin against the Islanders on Dec. 6. He played one shift in overtime on Sunday and appeared to be in pain on the bench before the Rangers edged the Devils in a shootout, 3-2.
Brandon Pirri, a healthy scratch for the last two games, will rejoin the lineup because the Rangers do not have another forward.
The team is scheduled to have a morning skate here at 11:30 a.m. and coach Alain Vigneault will have a briefing afterward.
After tonight, the Rangers have only one game during the annual roster freeze, at home against the Wild on Friday. Teams can call up or trade players starting on Dec. 27 when the Rangers host the Senators.
..... - Newsday