Bruins hopeful Rick Nash will return prior to playoffs

Rick Nash has missed the last eight games, but the Boston Bruins are optimistic he'll suit up for them before the playoffs begin.

Head coach Bruce Cassidy said Sunday that there's hope Nash will play in at least one of the team's four remaining regular-season contests, according to Joe Haggerty of NBC Sports Boston.

The veteran forward has been sidelined since March 19 as he recovers from an upper-body injury. The Bruins have not given a timeline on when Nash could return to the lineup.

The injury has limited Nash to just 11 games since Boston acquired him at the trade deadline. The 33-year-old has tallied three goals and three assists in those appearances.

The Bruins sent forwards Ryan Spooner and Matt Beleskey, defenseman Ryan Lindgren, and two draft picks, including their 2018 first-rounder, to the New York Rangers in exchange for Nash.

Across 60 games this season, Nash has picked up 18 goals and 10 assists.

Nash can become an unrestricted free agent this offseason.