Rick Nash skated again Thursday and should be nearing his return from a bone bruise that has kept him out since late January.

“My conditioning feels pretty good,” Nash said after doing drills on his own and then participating in the Rangers optional skate while wearing a non-contact jersey. “I’ve been doing a lot of work off the ice to keep my conditioning up. It’s a matter of just getting in some battles and scrums.”

Not surprisingly, Nash wanted to wait to see how his knee responded to the increased workload before speculating whether he would be able to play Saturday at Detroit.

“We’ve waited this long,” Nash said of the knee injury that has sidelined him longer than anticipated.

“It’s just feeling it each day. Today was a bit harder than the last. We want to see how it reacts [Friday].”

Overall, Nash said he is encouraged.

“I’ve been on the ice for about a week now, so it’s gaining confidence in the leg,” Nash said. “It’s been all positive.”

In the meantime, he’s trying to remain patient.

“I’m very anxious,” Nash said. “I feel like professional athletes are creatures of routine and when you’re taken out of that routine, it’s kind of strange.’’

Marc Staal, out because of back spasms, did not skate and remains day-to-day. The Rangers could make a move and recall Brady Skjei, since Dylan McIlrath is also out.

Former Ranger Bill Gadsby died Thursday at 88. He played for the Rangers from 1954-61 and also spent time with Chicago and Detroit. The three-time All-Star, who scored 130 goals and had 438 assists in 1,248 NHL games, was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1970.

Stephane Matteau, 1994 double-overtime hero, will host the Rangers’ official viewing party at Dan Rooney’s on Saturday. Matteau will meet and greet fans at the Empire City Casino sports pub at 1 p.m. and stick around for the Rangers-Red Wings telecast.