Entering tonight’s match against the Canadiens at Bell Centre, there’s plenty of news items for the Rangers. The main two are off the ice. Mike Del Zotto is a healthy scratch. It’s the third game he’ll miss. Alain Vigneault kept him out twice last month. Extra defenseman Justin Falk goes back in.

I’m not crazy about this move. I get how frustrating Del Zotto is. Already in his fifth year, the 23-year old former ’08 first round pick has regressed. Ironically, he had his best season under John Tortorella in ’11-12 when the Rangers won the division and advanced to the Conference Finals. He established career bests in goals (10), assists (31), points (41) and plus/minus (20). He was inconsistent in the playoffs but scored a couple of big goals to finish off Ottawa and Washington.

Last year, he took a step back tallying 21 points (3-18-21) in 46 games. He was a non-factor scoring a goal and assist during the playoffs. When Glen Sather replaced Tortorella with Vigneault, the hope was that it would spark Del Zotto. He’s a very gifted player with excellent skating ability and offensive potential. So far, the results have been disappointing. With just four points (1-3-4) in 16 contests thus far, he’ll sit out. The reason I disagree with Vigneault’s decision is because it looked like Del Zotto was coming around. A recent four-game stretch saw him put up a goal and two helpers by being more aggressive. He has lost power play duty to Ryan McDonagh, who leads our defensemen with 11 points.

If you look closely at the blueline, nobody else is producing. Aside from his second goal in the Devil loss, Marc Staal had been silent. Many expected him to step it up following a strong preseason. Three points and minus-five is hardly what anyone foresaw. Dan Girardi has struggled mightily. It was nice to see him score against New Jersey. But his defensive gaffe led to Dainius Zubrus’ winner. With two points and a minus-six, he’s having trouble adjusting to Vigneault’s system. Danny G still has a tendency to go down to block shots. Unfortunately, it cost the Rangers at least a point. Anton Stralman has only two assists. Offensively capable, he’s being used more in a shutdown role with Staal. The plus-two tops our D. I’d like to see him look for his shot. John Moore hasn’t lived up to expectations. With just a goal and assist despite blazing speed and a rocket, it’s taking him longer to develop. He’s thrown the puck away several times yet hasn’t missed a game.

You tell me if it’s fair on Del Zotto. He’s always the whipping boy. At least with Tort, it worked to a point. I’m not sure how he’ll respond amidst trade rumors. Another thing lost in translation is that the Rangers lack any depth. Unless they’re going to panic and recall Dylan McIlrath from Hartford, what exactly are they doing? Del Zotto has little value and is in the final year of his contract. If the Rangers want him back, he’s restricted. It seems a little early to give up on him. By that I mean the season when Vigneault’s preaching more offense from the back end. He’s still their most talented offensively. Trade him and maybe they get a mid-round pick. Hardly ideal if you lose a player off the roster. We’ve already seen Falk. He’s not a regular. Who knows? Maybe it’ll actually result in a win in the house of horrors.

At least Vigneault’s starting Cam Talbot. Everyone knows how awful Henrik Lundqvist is in Montreal. Though it was interesting to hear our coach criticize his star pupil over the softy he let in against nemesis Ryan Carter. Lundqvist took responsibility but also tried to shift blame to the entire team. He had a point. I don’t think he likes being called out. Expect a bounce back performance tomorrow night when the Kings visit. This is a big weekend. At 9-9-0, the Rangers are fourth in the Metro. They face two challenges. The Canadiens’ speed usually gives them fits. And the Kings will be looking for a measure of revenge.

The biggest news is that Rick Nash has been cleared for contact and has already practiced. He hasn’t reported any setbacks. Puck Daddy writer Greg Wyshynski had a post up an hour ago on Nash’s progress.

“Hopefully, one of the games, for sure,” Nash told Newsday’s Steve Zipay at Bell Centre Saturday morning, “as long as there are no setbacks. Everything’s been positive and I’ve been pushing it every day.”

At this point in his recovery, Nash said, it is a matter of conditioning and building his leg strength, because he is free of the headaches that plagued him since the high hit from San Jose defenseman Brad Stuart. “I’m feeling better than I thought I would,” said Nash, who skated for the eight straight day. “I’ve only had two (full) practices with the team, plus the morning skates, I think I need a little more down-low work, 3 on 3 . . .”

Nash still hasn’t spoken to Stuart but holds no grudge indicating that the hit was “a hockey play.” If he does return either Tuesday against Boston or Thursday in Dallas, it’s definitely a surprise. I thought he’d be out longer. Concussions are the unknown. I hope Nash and the Rangers are being cautious. I worry about him returning too soon. The team can definitely use his offense. But health comes first.