Red-hot Nash scores again for Rangers but winning streak halted

Rick Nash scored Friday against the Ottawa Senators, giving him six goals in his last five games.

Prior to Feb. 28, he had scored just three times since the start of the regular season.

“At this stage in his career, as I said when we got (Nash), it’s perfect timing for the Rangers and for him to join us in this type of situation,” Rangers head coach John Tortorella told the Ottawa Sun prior to Friday’s game against the Senators.

“And he has a mindset that he accepts the responsibility.”

But it wasn’t enough, as the New York Rangers gave up a late third period goal in a 3-2 loss to the Senators.

The loss also halted the Rangers’ winning streak at four games.

Brad Richards, who sat out New York’s last two games after being hit from behind by Buffalo’s Patrick Kaleta, was inserted back into the lineup.

The 32-year-old center scored in his return. It was his first goal since Jan. 26 – a span of 16 games.