NEW YORK -- Rangers forward Rick Nash, the No. 2 goal scorer in the NHL this season, is sitting out his first game of the season on Tuesday night due to neck spasms.
Nash, second to Washington's Alex Ovechkin with 37 goals in 58 games, didn't practice on Monday while taking a maintenance day. He was then scratched on Tuesday when the Rangers hosted the Calgary Flames.
Oscar Lindberg, a 23 year-old center from Sweden, made his NHL debut hours after he was recalled by the Rangers from Hartford of the AHL.
Lindberg is second in scoring at Hartford with 36 points in 54 games, and is third with 16 goals.
Flames left wing Mason Raymond also missed the game as he returned to Calgary for the expected birth of his child. Emile Poirier made his NHL debut in Raymond's place.