Rangers coach Alain Vigneault announced that Nash would miss at least the club's pair of games this week with a groin injury, and also potentially a third when it reconvenes after the holidays.
It's believed that Nash suffered an injury to the opposite groin, which cost him a few games earlier this month.
Nash has enjoyed a fairly productive season despite the second setback. He owns a top-20 goal scoring rate with 0.43 per game, and 20 total points.
It wasn't punishment by any means, as Quenneville was handcuffed by injuries and inexperienced forward depth. He wanted a more balanced attack, and there's certainly nothing wrong with experimenting early in the season.
However, now 34 games in, to hell with that idea.
The Chicago Blackhawks have won five in a row, and are eight points clear of Minnesota for first in the Central, largely due to the production of the league's most dynamic duo.
Panarin is tied for third in league scoring (34), while Kane is tied for the fourth-highest output (32). Over their last 10 games, they have 13 and nine points, respectively.
This is hardly news, though. No tandem has been more productive offensively since the start of the 2015-16 season.
Player
Games
Goals
Assists
Points
Kane
116
56 (3rd)
82 (2nd)
138 (1st)
Panarin
114
44 (9th)
67 (7th)
111 (5th)
* (x) indicates league rank
Much of the attention regarding this season's scoring race has been focused on Connor McDavid's pursuit of the Art Ross or Sidney Crosby's torrid goal pace, but don't sleep on the pair of wingers steering the ship in the Windy City.
They're still the reigning MVP and rookie of the year, after all.
The distraction that can often undermine the process instead encouraged it for Anaheim Ducks defenseman Cam Fowler.
It's no coincidence that Fowler's delivered perhaps his best hockey at a time where his value to the Ducks, as well as prospective buyers, has been thrust under the media spotlight.
But his impetus amid trade chatter wasn't to prove his value to the team that will determine his future ahead of the looming expansion draft. Rather, Fowler took it as an opportunity to have the entire league recognize his capabilities.
"It kinda helped me stay in my lane. It gave me a little motivation, to be honest with you. I wanted to show teams, if they're interested in me, they'd be getting a good-quality player. It pushed me in the summer and even at the start of the season," Fowler told Sportsnet's Luke Fox.
"Five games into the season, (general manager Bob Murray) pulled me in and said, 'Hey, I was a player before, too. I heard my name tossed out there all the time.' He just said, 'I'm not shopping you. Teams are calling. Teams are gonna call.'"
The reason is twofold. First, he is that competent puck-moving defenseman all teams covet, and his talent is made only more enticing by the modest $4-million salary he'll earn through next season. Fowler ranks third in goals on a top-10 scoring team with nine, and has produced a clean 0.67 points per game scoring rate.
But second, it's no secret that, as it stands now, Anaheim's expansion draft strategy could all hinge on the decision to protect, or to expose, Fowler. If both he and Sami Vatanen remain on the roster at the time of selection, the cost to protect the pair is likely talented winger Jakob Silfverberg.
For his part, Fowler's done all he can: Muddle the situation further.
Because everything else is beyond his control.
"We're a team people are pointing at might lose a real quality player with the way the numbers are working," he said.
"It's not something we focus on, but in the back of our minds we understand that."
Follow theScore's fantasy feed on Twitter (@theScoreFantasy) for the latest news, features and more. And download Squad Up, theScore's free-to-win-money sports game.
Here is a look at the Squad Up daily NHL fantasy picture for Tuesday, Dec. 20 (all advanced stats courtesy of Corsica.Hockeyand apply to 5v5 situations):
Triple Threat
LW Taylor Hall (78K), C Travis Zajac (50K), RW Kyle Palmieri (57K), Devils (vs. Predators): Recently assembled, the Devils' new top line has played just 21.18 minutes together at 5v5. The team's first, second and fifth-leading point-getters have a Corsi For rating of just 44.44 while together, but they're expected to outscore their opponents 3.19 to 1.40 per 60 minutes.
LW Mike Hoffman (45K), C Kyle Turris (38K), RW Mark Stone (50K), Senators (at Blackhawks): Ottawa's top line should be reassembled with Hoffman returning from a two-game suspension. The trio has an expected goals for per 60 minutes of 3.84, ranking seventh among all trios to play at least 50 minutes together this season. Their combined low cost allows for the inclusion of D Erik Karlsson.
C David Krejci (55K), RW David Backes (49K), D Torey Krug (45K), Bruins (vs. Islanders): The Islanders rank 29th in the league with an expected goals against per 60 of 2.78. The Bruins' top line is still without RW David Pastrnak (elbow) and will likely have to face the Islanders' top line featuring C John Tavares. All three of these players also play on the top power-play unit.
Goalie Breakdown
TARGET - Tuukka Rask (88K), Bruins (vs. Islanders): Rask is coming off his fourth shutout of the season, stopping all 18 Los Angeles Kings shots he faced. He'll face an Islanders team with the 10th-highest xGF60, with over 30 SOG per 60 at 5v5. The potential for a high save total bolsters Rask's upside.
BARGAIN - Martin Jones (79K), Sharks (vs. Flames): Jones has gone 3-1-0 in his past four starts, allowing a total of 10 goals. He twice faced 31 shots on goal but never made 30 or more stops. The Flames average just 2.11 goals per road game, while still mustering 28.2 shots on goal.
FADE - Scott Darling (94K), Blackhawks (vs. Senators): Darling rebounded in his most recent start, after allowing four goals in back-to-back games. He stopped 33 of 34 shots faced last time out. He'll face the Senators with Hoffman back in the lineup, and they scored nine goals in two games without him.
CONTRARIAN - Connor Hellebuyck (75K), Jets (at Canucks): Hellebuyck has been miserable on the road this season, posting a .885 save percentage in 10 games. He has a measure of safety against a Canucks team scoring a paltry 2.41 goals per game.
Bargain Plays
C Cory Conacher (25K), Lightning (vs. Red Wings): A surprise addition to the Lightning's top line, Conacher has played on the left side of C Tyler Johnson at 5v5 and on the right side of C Vladislav Namestnikov on the top power-play unit. He has a goal and an assist in his past two games, though he did fail to record a SOG in just over 11 minutes of ice time last time out.
LW Mikkel Boedker (27K), Sharks (vs. Flames): While his first season with the Sharks has been wholly unimpressive, Boedker has picked up two assists in his past five games and seen a bit of an uptick in playing time. Likely Flames starter Chad Johnson has allowed four goals in each of his past two starts.
RW Nail Yakupov (25K), Blues (at Stars): Yakupov has been bumped up to the Blues' top line with LW Jaden Schwartz and C Paul Stastny. His ice time hasn't changed much, and he still doesn't much see time on the man advantage. The Stars' wide-open style and horrendous goaltending allow for plenty of opportunity at 5v5 when all he needs is a single assist to provide value.
Top Fades
D Brent Burns (69K), Sharks (vs. Flames): Priced well ahead of elite peers Victor Hedman and Erik Karlsson, owners can do themselves a favor and pivot down to one of the other two and save some salary. The Sharks have scored two or fewer goals in three of eight games this month, failing to provide the consistency needed at this price.
C Nathan MacKinnon (63K), Avalanche (at Wild): MacKinnon notched just two SOG in two of his past three games, and he picked up just one assist in that stretch. The Avalanche take on the league's best goalie in Devan Dubnyk, and it has scored just one goal in each of the past two games.
RW Brendan Gallagher (57K), Canadiens (vs. Ducks): Gallagher's playing time has dropped since being demoted to the third line at 5v5. The move was a means to spread out the offense with Cs Alex Galchenyuk and David Desharnais injured. The move does no favors to Gallagher's personal production.
Contrarian Options
LW Jonathan Drouin (66K), Lightning (vs. Red Wings): Drouin has been jostled throughout the lineup of late, as the Lightning try to spark some offense. He has four goals and four assists in seven games this month. He has tallied 14 shots on goal in his past four games. Back on the second line at 5v5, he has topped 18 minutes in four straight games.
D Dustin Byfuglien (47K), Jets (at Canucks): Byfuglien is very modestly priced, coming in well below the likes of Burns, Karlsson and Hedman. He leads all defensemen in ice time at 27:38 per game, and ranks fourth among defenders in shots on goal. He totaled 14 in his past three games.
C Ryan O'Reilly (58K), Sabres (at Panthers): Largely an afterthought since teammate Jack Eichel returned from injury, O'Reilly has one goal and four assists in eight games this month. He has averaged nearly three SOG per game and is actually averaging more ice time than his more popular peer.
Every Tuesday, theScore's editors will examine the fortunes of the north's seven NHL franchises. Welcome to "O Canada."
Calgary Flames
Plus: Sean Monahan has arrived. The Flames' $44.6-million asset appears to have shaken off a slow start and has bounced back to the tune of 12 points over a 10-game streak.
Minus: Strangely, Calgary owns a home record of only 7-9. Even in last year's 26th place finish, it had a 22-16-4 mark at the Saddledome.
The Take: If the Flames are going to hold down a playoff position in the West, Brian Elliott needs to experience a Monahan-esque revival. Soon.
Edmonton Oilers
Plus: We all know the onus is on Connor McDavid to lead this club, and he's doing just that, but Leon Draisaitl has been a tremendous complement to the Oilers' attack. The 21-year-old's come into his own this season, recording 14 goals and 16 assists.
Minus: Jordan Eberle, meanwhile, only has one goal in his last 13 games.
The Take: It's nearly Christmas and the Oilers are tied for the Pacific Division lead in points. We haven't been able to say that much lately.
Montreal Canadiens
Plus: Despite an offense that's been depleted by injuries, the Canadiens are still finding ways to win, and sit comfortably atop the Atlantic.
The Take: Montreal having Anaheim, Minnesota, and Columbus on the slate before the holiday break is comparable to getting a giant lump of coal for Christmas, and it doesn't get easier from there. Due to the Bell Centre partly hosting the world juniors, the Habs embark on a six-game road trip starting Dec. 28.
Ottawa Senators
Plus: Mark Stone quietly has 13 points over his last 10 games, including four multi-point efforts, in easily his best stretch of the season.
Minus: When the club owner publicly addresses dwindling attendance numbers, it's not a great look.
The Take: The Atlantic Division isn't overly competitive. A strong January for the Senators could go a long way in helping secure a comfortable playoff seed.
Toronto Maple Leafs
Plus: Remember when Mike Babcock said Auston Matthews can be a dominant centerman by Christmas? He may have been on to something. The 19-year-old's potted a team-leading 15 goals, and continues to be rewarded with more ice time.
Minus: Toronto has provided opponents 23 power plays over its last five games, a recipe for disaster with an inexperienced club.
The Take: Over the past week or so, Toronto has looked dominant in terms of shot attempts and puck possession. It's somewhat moot, however, if you can't close a game and secure two points.
Vancouver Canucks
Plus: Adding franchise stalwart Mattias Ohlund to the club's Ring of Honor was a nice touch by the Canucks. Winning the game was nice, too.
Minus: On the other side of the spectrum, watching John Tortorella win his 500th game from the other bench had to sting a bit.
The Take: For the Canucks, this season is about establishing a plan for the future. They may be five points out of a playoff spot, but they're also three games below .500. It's important for Vancouver's brass to take the wins when they come, but keep the big picture at the forefront.
Winnipeg Jets
Plus: Mark Scheifele, Patrik Laine, and Nikolaj Ehlers could very well be the most dynamic line in the NHL. They each have 30, 29, and 26 points, respectively, this season.
Minus: Eight of the Jets' next 10 games will be played away from the MTS Centre. They're 5-10-2 on the road this season.
The Take: Though the club has an embarrassment of riches up front, until it gets consistent goaltending, it's tough to peg the Jets as a threat in the Central.
Former Stanley Cup champion and Jack Adams Award winner Bob Hartley has been hired to lead the Latvian national team.
"I'm excited for the newest challenge in my career as a coach. It will be my first experience working with a national team and I'm grateful to the Latvian Hockey Federation for giving me the opportunity and confidence," Hartley told IIHF.com's Martin Merk.
Latvia's former coach resigned this summer just before the program failed to qualify for the 2018 Olympics in Pyeongchang.
The country's best finish at an Olympic competition came three years prior in Sochi under the direction of longtime NHL coach Ted Nolan. That team played Canada to a 2-1 final, and eventually finished eighth.
Hartley was fired by the Calgary Flames at the end of last year after failing to return to the playoffs in his fourth season.
In likely his final shift left to escape establishing a new career high of three consecutive games without recording a point, McDavid found Ryan Nugent-Hopkins drifting into a scoring area to convert the overtime winner Monday night versus the St. Louis Blues.
McDavid's timely feed gave him a league-best 40 points for the season, and a 60th assist through 79 games across his first two years in the NHL.
He also has 28 goals to make it 88 points over that span, a fruitful total portfolio that's quickly closing in on a complete aggregated NHL campaign. McDavid's averaged 1.11 points per outing since his debut, which is comparable to a top-25 rate all time.
Patrick Maroon couldn't help but express his feelings after watching a clip of his son Anthony's reaction to his tying goal against the St. Louis Blues in his return to Missouri on Monday night.
"It's pretty cool. It's pretty emotional," the Edmonton Oilers forward told Sportsnet's Gene Principe as he watched the replay of his son delighting in his father's big moment. "It's pretty cool (and) I don't get to see him as much, but it's pretty special."
Maroon was clearly overwhelmed as the interview concluded, barely mustering an "absolutely" to end the segment.
The Oilers defeated the Blues in overtime, but the Maroon family proved Monday that sports are often about more than just names and numbers.
